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Lectio divina on Mt 2,13-15.19-23

HOLY FAMILY / A

Lectio divina on Mt 2,13-15.19-23

Blessed is he who fears the Lord and walk in his ways

Invoking the Spirit of life, who breathed the mass of water have led to the creation of life and beauty where there was chaos!
Spirit of life, which led Israel as a pillar of fire in the night you led slaves to freedom!
Spirit of life, covering Mary with your shadow you bring quiet and effective Son of God among men!
Spirit of life, indicating that the light of truth in the Son of the Father enables us to profess faith in Jesus Christ the Lord!
Spirit of life, guide us on the streets of our Bethlehem, to find joy in the presence of God the Son, the son of Mary who lives in our midst.

Read
13 they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him: "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt and stay there until I tell you : search for Herod wants to kill the child. " 14 He got up in the night, took the child and his mother fled Egypt, 15 where he remained until Herod's death, because it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "Out of Egypt have I called my son." 19
Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and go 'in the land of Israel died, in fact, those who sought to kill the child. "
21 He got up, took the child and his mother, and entered the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus reigned in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee and went 23 to live in a town called Nazareth, it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets: "It will be called a Nazarene."

A moment of silence me d itati so that the Word can enter into us and enlighten our lives.

useful steps to meditation
January 37, 12-36, 46, 1-7; Es 1,1-6.8-22; 1 Samuel 15, 18, 19, 20; 11,3-17.40 1 Kings, 2 Kings 25 -26; Sir 3, 3-7.14-17; Col 3.12 to 21, Jn 15.20, Mk 14.33-34; Heb 5.7 to 8, OS 11.1.

Understanding
In today's Gospel, the Gospel of Matthew presents us with the person Jesus as the fulfillment of the Scriptures. The song Mt 2, 13-23, is part of the section that deals with birth and childhood of "Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham" (Mt 1:1). It seems that this track runs a drop in the above-mentioned Ct 1.4 "drag me with you, run! I introduce the King in her rooms. "
In fact, the various movements that we can gather is just entering the room of the king, God and be guided by Him, because "its fruit is sweet to my taste" (Song 2:3).
The Gospel of Matthew has been called "the gospel of the kingdom." Matthew invites us to reflect on the coming of the kingdom of heaven. In the structure of its Gospel some have seen a drama in seven acts that deal with the reality of the coming of this Kingdom. The play begins with the preparation for this coming of the Kingdom in the person of the Messiah Child, and ends with the coming of the Kingdom in suffering and triumph with the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Son of God is the scribe Matthew
essay can draw out of his treasure what is old and what is new for the life of each. The flow lines of this song very expressions that collect human life, which serve to illuminate our path.
Our focus now is on the Holy Family and especially to Joseph, by Matthew in his responsibility as "head of family" that is guided by God's word in this context of violence and persecution.

Meditation
v. 13: After they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him: "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt and stay there until I tell you: Herod wants to search for the child to kill him. " The verse begins by connecting to the facts above recounted the visit of the Magi. The Magi had come from afar to worship that child was born and brought their mysterious gifts for a child born in a manger, gifts loaded with symbolic meaning.
Now the scene changes completely: this family must now confront a very different situation: Someone does not want this king reigns and therefore tries to kill him. The theme of the kings who kill the fearsome opponents is common in the history of each royal dynasty. In biblical literature as well as the scene of Herod trying to kill the baby Jesus, we find some similar accounts in the Old Testament. Luke tells of Jesus: "He is here ... a sign of contradiction may be revealed or thoughts of many hearts" (Lk 2:34) and John: "He came unto his own but his own did not receive him" (Jn 1 11).
But the Lord speaks to the heart of Joseph and his words are full of meaning. Verbs are used to indicate the urgency of the facts. Joseph is invited to "take with them", ie to establish a relationship within a family. Joseph does not say anything here, but in obedience to the Word and his vocation is'. "
take with him means to receive, accept others as a gift and take responsibility for this reception, in the reciprocity of the gift. And this is what the bride and groom promise in the rite of marriage: mutual acceptance and love.
The "do" Joseph led him to flee with his family in Egypt. Matthew unlike Luke does not talk about previous trips. He only says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and then to end of the song today, it says that Joseph chooses, as a place to stay once he returns from Egypt, Nazareth. Bethlehem and Nazareth are thus places of Jesus' childhood, his life "hidden".
Egypt is a land of temporary shelter. 46.2-4 in Genesis we read the warning made to Jacob that perhaps resonated in the heart of Joseph and Mary as they fled to Egypt, "God said to Israel in a night vision," Jacob, Jacob. " He answered: 'Here I am. " He said, "I am God, the God of your father. Not afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation. I will go down with thee into Egypt, and I certainly I'll come back. "
vv. 14-15: He stood up in the night, took the child and his mother and fled to Egypt, where he remained until Herod's death, because it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son. " The verses show a readiness to Joseph and this readiness is marked by night. One night in obedience to the Word becomes a sign for each of us as the night is not scary, but is transformed into cries of joy, as will the virgin: "Behold the Bridegroom" (Mt 25.6). In this situation
Joseph is a model for each of us, and his move in the night shows also "watch", "work hard".
Joseph flees to Egypt in obedience. The word refuge, etymologically, means a backward movement, almost a return to where they started. In fact it is the journey of the people of Israel that goes to Egypt and then back. Joseph welcomes the voice of the Lord and is the father to the end, even in Egypt. And Matthew is careful to state here that what is taking place corresponds to a plan of God according to the ancient prophecy of Hos 11.1: "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and Egypt have I called my child" Moses told the people that had the command of God brought out of Egypt, now, Matthew, Revelation becomes the identity of that child who took Joseph with them, assuming all responsibility.
vv. 19-20: Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and go 'in the land of Israel died, in fact, those who tried to kill the child. " Herod died, the great earth die like everyone else. Everything passes, but God's plan is fulfilled. My words shall not pass says Jesus (Mt 24:35), because "of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations" (Ps 32.11). Join in the events of human history but above, and through them write another story, the history of the kingdom of heaven. For Joseph is still night and the night, the Word of God manifests itself once again in a dream. The movement is always the same. Joseph is back on his feet again and start over. From the composition
literal, it seems that Joseph was never removed from the Word, by being taught by it. It is his lectio divina that transforms him into a beggar for love. Joseph, in fact, is the man in obedience to the Word and It (God) has given his life and that of his family. He is the man the new song because it stripped from its uncertainties and doubts.
vv. 21-23: He got up, took the child and his mother, and entered the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee and went to live in a town called Nazareth, it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets: "It will be called a Nazarene." is still night. The night of fear. Joseph is afraid he is a man like everyone else. In this fear, Joseph continues to protect and puts herself back on the road: a new work of authorship.
Joseph is the man who looks inside wrapped in silence thinking of coloring his life with God using the same colors, same with Mary who used to be embraced by God as it is, exulting in God like Mary. If God jump in your poverty, then the personal life is colored. Joseph has understood this.
retires in the region of Galilee, Nazareth. The verb used is the same with that at the beginning of today's passage had said that of the Magi "had withdrawn" or that "they were turned back." The gospel writer wants to emphasize that because this particular child "will be called a Nazarene," according to the ancient prophecies. We do not know what prophecy is referring to Matthew, for him the fact that Jesus was from Nazareth, corresponds to God's plan, however, that Joseph in his fidelity to the voice of conscience, combined with his prudence and wisdom humanity committed in silence and without delay.
Jesus tells the story of the people of Israel as a new Moses, who escaped the massacre of the innocent, remains in Egypt, returned to his homeland and go into exile to Nazareth. Jesus is a messiah in solidarity with his people, the suffering of every man. Israel's journey with Moses was marked by sin and death, Jesus with Joseph "savior of the Savior," opens a new path to life without end.

The Gospel in the mind of the Church Fathers
We have to expect from the first Days of Our Lives temptations and dangers. Consider, in fact, that once, from the cradle, what happened to Jesus was just born, when even the tyrant's wrath was unleashed against him and forced him to move to find shelter in a place of exile, and his mother , so pure and innocent, she was forced to flee with him in a foreign country. This way God shows you that when you have the honor of being involved in a ministry or spiritual service, and you see yourself surrounded by many dangers and forced to endure cruel misfortunes, do not disturb, nor do you say to yourself: Why are so abused, that I was expecting a ring, praise, glory, bright rewards, having done the will of God? This example will inspire you, therefore, strongly support the misfortunes and make you know that, usually, this is the fate of the spiritual men: have, that is, as inseparable companions, the trials and tribulations. Look at what just happened not only to the mother of Jesus, but also to the Magi. They secretly retire as of the fugitives, and the Virgin, which was not used to leave his home, is forced to take a very long and tiring journey, because of the extraordinary and amazing spiritual birth.
still admire the wonderful event! Palestine and Egypt pursued Jesus Christ welcomed him and saves him from his persecutors. This evidence shows that God has not only outlined the types and shapes of the future in the children of the patriarch, but also Jesus himself ... The angel, then, appeared not to Mary, but Joseph and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother." He said no more, as he had said before, "take your wife," but "take his mother," because now, after the birth, Joseph did not have any doubt, and I firmly believe the truth of the mystery. The angel speaks to him, therefore, with greater freedom, without calling Jesus the "son" and Mary "his wife", but saying, "Take the child and his mother, and fled to Egypt." It also explains the reason for the flight, adding: "For Herod is looking for the child to kill him" (Mt 2:13).
Joseph, hearing these words, it was negatively impressed. He did not say that the angel that escape seemed puzzling, since shortly before the angel told him that the child would save his people, but now seemed to not even be able to save himself. That flight, that migration is not that long journey and were perhaps at odds with the promise that the angel had done the same? But Joseph did not say anything like that, because he was a man of faith. Proved not even curious to know the time of return, because the angel had they not state have, by general said, "Stay there, until I tell you." On the contrary, Joseph zeal live shows: listen, obey (Matt. 2:14) and gladly bears all the evidence. God in his goodness, mixes, under these circumstances, the joy and pain. So he is accustomed to act with all the saints. Do not let them always always in danger or in safety, but orders the lives of men just a mo 'for a plot, in which a series of joys and sorrows. And so she behaved with Joseph. Please observe and reflect. Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant and suffered from anxiety and is caught by a great anxiety, suspecting that The Virgin has committed adultery, but the angel intervenes immediately dissolving all suspicion and free from any fear. Then the child is born and Joseph is extremely happy, but his joy soon followed by a new pain, because, he feels that the whole town and upset the king, in the grip of an intense rage, seeking by every means the baby. This punishment is tempered by the joy that he try to view the star and the adoration of the Magi, but, again, the joy turns to anxiety and fear when the angel tells him that "Herod's search for the child kill him and ordering him to flee and emigrate. The fact is that Jesus was then behaving in a totally human. Time of miracles had not yet come. If he had so quickly started to make miracles, nobody would have believed that he was a man. For this reason, he is suddenly the world: how a man was first conceived, then remains nine months in Mary's womb, is born, nourished with breast milk, lives a secluded life for a long time, waiting to become a man adult with the passing years, so that his behavior will convince everyone to believe the truth of his incarnation ... So the angel commands them to return from Egypt, to go to settle in their country. Also this happens with a precise plan, that "might be fulfilled" - the Gospel says - "what had been said by prophets: He will be called a Nazarene "(Matt. 2:23) Moreover, precisely because it foretold by the prophets, apostles, Christ is often called" Nazarene "(Is 11:1). This, then, made it dark and not easily comprehensible prophecy concerning Bethlehem? Not at all. that just this was, by contrast, stimulate their curiosity and prompt them to investigate what had been said about him in the prophecies. As you know, was the name of Nazareth, which led to information about Nathaniel Jesus Christ, which came after saying: "And can anything good come from Nazareth?" (Jn 1:46). Nazareth was, in fact, a village of no account, as indeed had very little importance throughout the region of Galilee. For this, the Pharisees said to Nicodemus: Search well and you'll see that it does not rise prophet from Galilee (Jn 7:52). However, Christ was not ashamed to take name from this country, to show that he had no need of what people think is important. He chose his own apostles in Galilee, the country despised by the Jews, to remove any excuse for the lazy and let them see that there should be none of what is outside, if they apply with zeal for virtue. For the same reason the Son of God would not at all a home: "The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head," he says (Luke 9:58). For this reason, when fleeing Herod wants to kill him, the newborn is placed in a and remains in a stable manger, it also chooses a poor mother: and has done everything to get used to not ashamed of these things, to teach, in short, from its entrance into this world, to trample underfoot the luxury and ' pride of the world and not find anything but the under ... We are not, therefore, idly waiting for help from others. It is certain that the prayers of the saints have much effect, but only when we change our behavior and become better ... In short, if we are lazy and negligent, even others will be able to help, but if you keep watch on ourselves, by ourselves to our rescue and we will do much better than they could do the rest. God prefers to give his grace directly us more than others for us, because we put the zeal in trying to avert his anger drives us to act with confidence and become better than what we are. Therefore the Lord was merciful with the Canaanite woman and so he saved Mary Magdalene and the thief, without any mediator had intervened in favor. (John Chrysostom, In Matth . 8, s. 2, 9, 2, 5, 1).

Some questions for personal reflection and comparison
the Evangelist Matthew is the "kingdom of heaven." What does it mean for me the kingdom of heaven?
am a person who overcomes obstacles with the help of the Word of God or "throw a living?
Joseph's life has never been a lonely path away from Jesus and Mary, with whom I walk?
I am also able to "take the child and his mother in my life every day? Space in my family that has the word of God and prayer?
In our families there is a reading "wisdom" of the facts, events, experiences, and then the vocation of each, or leave it all to a knee-jerk reaction to the most affected by the surrounding culture of the moment?

Praying
The liturgy makes us pray today for our families to flourish in the same virtues and the same love that reigned in Holy Family and retrace the path God has in our lives. We respond to the word with the suggestion of the Psalmist (Ps. 127)


Blessed is he who fears the Lord and walk in his ways.
the toil of your hands you will feed,
'll be happy and get all the best.

Your wife like a fruitful vine
in your home;
your children like olive shoots around your table
.

blessings bestowed
man who fears the Lord.
The Lord bless you from Zion.
May you see the good of Jerusalem
every day of your life!

contemplative act
On this Sunday dedicated to the Holy Family of Nazareth, Joseph reminds us, the secret to every human family join him and his mother, Maria Jesus just like the bride and groom at Cana. Maria
addition to being a mother, is also mediating between us and the grace of God, except to say to us: "Do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2:5).