Joseph’s dream
From today’s Scripture: “Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.”—Mt 2:13
Shortly after Jesus’ birth, his father Joseph was warned in a dream to flee to Egypt because King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. King Herod saw Jesus as a threat to his reign, assuming that the messiah would become a political ruler. Joseph had just experienced the journey to Bethlehem, trying to find shelter for Mary before she gave birth to Jesus the Messiah. Then there was all the visitors who came to meet him: the magi, shepherds, and so on.
Then he had this dream.
Most would probably disregard it after recalling all that just happened, surely it was just a dream. But Joseph trusted God and obeyed. He immediately left the region he was familiar with and became a refugee in a foreign country. The strength of his faith and trust in God is inspiring. How far would you be willing to go, and also leave behind, to follow the will of God?
Let us pray: Lord, help me today to follow the example of St. Joseph, the great listener. Help me find a way to respond to the modern day refugees in our world, who, like the Holy Family, flee their homelands in search of safety and a better life.
Today’s author is Julia Sauter, a member of Glenmary’s Development team. This week’s reflections are also in Spanish, available by email.
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