Holy Family - year A

Dearly Beloved,

The humble beginnings of Christ's birth continues in the story of the Holy Family's flee to Egypt.  The forces of darkness (King Herod and King Archelaus) is threatened by the light that is breaking in the midst.  Fearing that this Newborn King will take rule, lives of the Innocents are taken.  This forces the Holy Family to take refuge in a gentile territory, a foreign land, Egypt.  

But as the early Christians listened to this story, it harkens back to the story of Genesis and Exodus.  Israel and his descendants also found refuge in the foreign land of Egypt.  

The parallels of the Old Testament and New Testament allows the listener to see how the Holy Family re-lives the Exodus event, but more importantly how they will bring it to perfection through obedience to Almighty God.  And the promise of the covenant will be fulfilled in the Paschal Lamb, Christ The Lord.

"There was no room for them at the inn."  The Holy Family could not find lodging in Bethlehem.  The current kings of Judea wanted to bring an end to the child's life.  Imagine what the Holy Family went through just to find shelter and refuge.  

I imagine St Joseph knocking at all the doors in Bethlehem and hoping that someone is kind enough to give them room.  But St Joseph continues to knock at our doors, hoping that we can make room in our heart for the blessed Mother and the Christ Child.  

I want to make room for Christ in my heart.  Lord, may you find shelter and refuge in my soul.  Lord, I believe that you are the Newborn King.   I want you to reign.  Praise be Jesus Christ, the newborn King.