Feast of the Holy Family, Year A

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Lectionary: 17
Read Sunday’s Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Gospel Summary
When the Magi left the Holy Family in Bethlehem, Joseph was warned in a dream to take Mary and Jesus into Egypt because Herod was looking to destroy the child. Following Herod’s death, another angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and informed him that it was now safe to return to Israel. Joseph took his family to the Galilee area and settled in Nazareth.

Reflection for Families
We may not always be as successful as we would like, but as parents we try to create some stability for our children. It must have been hard for Mary and Joseph to bring their child into the world in such a hurried and rustic environment. Barely had the child been born and visited by the Magi, when the Holy Family made a late-night escape through unfamiliar territory to an even more unfamiliar land they would call home until Herod died. At the news of Herod’s death, Joseph moved his young family back to Israel, but to a still different place from where he called home. The movement of our lives may not be as dramatic and life-threatening as that of the Holy Family, but it surely helps us to know that the presence of God is the one continuous thread that binds us together no matter where we are.

Bringing the Gospel into Your Family
Listen to the news or read the newspaper and share stories with your children about people who may not be able to stay safely in one place. Perhaps you know of an organization in your community that reaches out to families who lack stability. Or, perhaps there is a resettlement project in your area. Decide together how you might help these families. As a family, prepare food, provide supplies, or make prayer cards for them. Be sure to keep struggling families in the prayers of your family each day.

Discussion Starters

  1. For a family, one of the hardest things about moving from place to place is . . .
  2. Our family is also a Holy Family because . . .
  3. If my family was threatened, I know God would . . .

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 25
Kindergarten, page 161 and chapters 8 and 10
Grade 1, page 247 parish and page 357 school and chapter 3
Grade 2, page 247 parish and page 357 school and chapter 20
Grade 3, page 247 parish and page 357 school and chapter 5
Grade 4, page 247 parish and page 357 school and chapter 22
Grade 5, page 247 parish and page 357 school and chapter 23
Grade 6, page 247 parish and page 357 school and chapter 22
Junior High, Morality, chapter 9