First reading
Ecclesiasticus 3:3–7, 14–17
He who fears the Lord respects his parents.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 127(128):1–5
R. Happy are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Second reading
Colossians 3:12–21
Family life in the Lord
Gospel acclamation
Colossians 3:15a, 16a
May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and the fullness of his message live within you.
Gospel
Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23
The flight into Egypt and the return to Nazareth
Images from the Word
- In a dream
- I called my son
- Called a Nazarene
- Obedience to the Lord
- His saints
Liturgical notes
The institution of the family faces great challenges in various parts of the world today, and it is entirely appropriate for the homilist to speak about these. However, rather than simply giving a moral exhortation on family values, the preacher should take his cue from the Scripture readings of this day to speak of the Christian family as a school of discipleship.
—Homiletic Directory, §121
In the context of our family, even if that environment is fragile, we can grow in life. We who gather regularly at the table of the Lord are called to learn the Lord’s lesson that life is given for others. This pattern of Christ’s self-giving love in the Mass must flow into our life so that we are disciples of our Master.
‘The shepherds went in haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the Infant lying in a manger’
—entrance antiphon