Gospel – Matthew 2 13-18
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away.
As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.
But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intention is for Canon Short RIP
Reflection:
Today’s Gospel began with an angel appearing to Joseph in a dream. The angel told him: “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you.” The angel warned Joseph that Herod was searching for the child and that his plan was to kill the child.
But consider the rich paradox of celebrating the birth of Jesus, our redeemer, in the context of Herod’s slaughter of the Holy Innocents, as this day is often named.
Setting Joseph’s dreams that saved the baby Jesus in the presence of “Rachel weeping for her children” locates the announcement of God-with-us in a believable universe because it is our own. Ours is a world pervaded by sorrows.
When Christmas comes in any year, refugees will still be fleeing some horror in their homelands. Powerful people will still be threatening the vulnerable. Death will continue to stalk the unsuspecting. In this year of Saint Joseph, let us see in him his protecting care all around us!
- We don’t know Joseph completely, but we know him well enough, because in just the way God’s messenger spoke to him, God speaks to us — in inklings, love, inspiration, insight, empathy, and even disgust.
