Gospel: December 28, 2025
December 28, 2025 (Sunday)
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
1st Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
2nd Reading: Colossians 3:12-21 (or 3:12-17)
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
After the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will soon be looking for the child in order to kill him.” Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. In this way, what the Lord had said through the prophet was fulfilled: I called my son out of Egypt. After Herod’s death, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go back to the land of Israel, because those who tried to kill the child are dead.” So Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when Joseph heard that Archilaus had succeeded his father Herod as king of Judea, he was afraid to go there. Joseph was given further instructions in a dream, and went to the region of Galilee. There he settled, in a town called Nazareth. In this way, what was said by the prophets was fulfilled: He shall be called a Nazarene.
Reflection:
“Families should be communities of faith and love.”
Read: Sirach counsels loving respect in a family. Saint Paul encourages us to act with compassion and forgiveness. Saint Joseph is directed by the angel to lead his family to safety.
Reflect: When we look at a beautiful manger scene, there’s little to remind us of the danger that the Holy Family had to face. Herod wants to kill the child Jesus, and so they must escape to Egypt. his means that they were refugees, like so many people around the world today, with no home and few possessions. The danger they faced is as real for so many today, as families flee from violence, persecution and death. But in all the danger, the Gospel teaches us that the Father’s plan is still in place. The angel said to Joseph, “Get up!” It’s a phrase found throughout the Bible to indicate a vocation. Our families should be communities of faith and love where we can hear God’s call. We are all called to seek to do God’s will, as loving parents who care for their children, or as children who are keen to learn, to grow and to discover what God is calling them to be.
Pray: Pray for your family, and pray for all families who are displaced or in danger.
Act: Celebrate this feast with a family gathering.
