Post-feast of the Nativity of Christ; Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God; The Holy Priest-Martyr Euthymius, Bishop of Sardis (824)
Read
Hebrews 2:11-18; Matthew 2:13-23
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Yesterday, we heard about a marvellous response to the birth of Christ: the magi, astrologers from Persia, recognize in the infant Jesus the king of the Jews who is also the king and saviour of the world. Today, we hear of the opposite response to Jesus’ birth – the fear and hostility of Herod. From the very beginning, fear and hostility characterize the life of Christ. Almost immediately, he and his family become refugees, forced to flee from the army of a king who is replaying Pharao’s murderous threats against another infant saviour, Moses.
One way this passage prefigures Jesus’ coming ministry is in the repeated use of the word “withdraw” or “depart.” The passage begins with the withdrawal of the Magi; then Joseph departs with his family to Egypt; and at the end of the gospel, the Holy Family withdraws to Galilee. This word is often used later in the gospel: Jesus withdraws to Galilee after hearing of John the Baptist’s arrest, he withdraws to a lonely place after he hears about John’s beheading, and he withdraws from the threat posed by the Pharisees. It’s as if today’s gospel has the first of a series of tactical retreats that are part and parcel of Jesus’ ministry, and the opposition that he experiences. However, he is not defined by these “departures” – they often lead to fruitful preaching in new areas, and they are always temporary. Ultimately, Jesus will submit to the violence of the authorities, fulfilling the scriptures and revealing himself as the Saviour foretold to Joseph and the magi so many years ago.