What impresses me the most on my reading of the gospel for this year is the urgency and drama that affected the early years of the Holy Family of Nazareth. After the angel reveals to Joseph, in his dream, the plot of Herod against the child Jesus we hear: "Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt." (Mtt 2:14) The fear is palpable. Joseph does not hesitate but departs at night. Again, after being informed of Herod's death in a dream, "Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Isreal." (Mtt 2:21) He is eager to return to the Holy Land but continues to be obedient to the dream warning and settles in Nazareth. At this point Joseph has had four dreams and each time he has reacted in faith. His obedience is extraordinary. His care and protection for Our Lady and Jesus means he foregoes his own comfort and acts according to God's command communicated to him through dreams. May we all imitate him in his courage and selflessness as he acted to protect those whom he loved.
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