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Lectionary
1 EPIPHANY: 6 – 12 JANUARY 2008
THEME: AFRICA, A HOME
FOR JESUS
READING: MATTHEW 2: 13-23 (cf.2 Sam 5: 1-5;
Micah 5:1-6)
The Gospel according to Saint Matthew
records this dream as the second vision that Joseph received
from God. The first was the revelation to Joseph that Mary
would give birth to the Messiah (Matt. 1: 20, 21). His second
dream told him to seek refuge in Africa- the home of the
homeless. Although Joseph was not Jesus’ natural father, he
was Jesus’ legal father, and was responsible for his safety
and well-being. And as God guided Joseph, Joseph remained
loyal and prepared to heed God’s advice. When the life of
God’s Son was sought by Herod, the only safe place to seek
refuge was Africa (Egypt). What does this mean to us today?
For God, Africa was the most hospitable place for the Son of
God. Why is it that this preferred continent experiences more
refugee problems, escalating levels of crime and violence
against humanity than any other place? We are called to
revisit our God-given character, the character of being a home
to the homeless, a refuge to the refugees, and a land of hope
to the hopeless.
The coincidence of God’s choice of Africa
and the ultimate mandate of Jesus, place us as the hope for
the future. We need to exercise our right to dignity and to
peace with justice (shalom).
Let us address the
concerns of our brothers and sisters who flee their homes, and
be the ‘Good Samaritans’ to attend to their plight. We notice
from the passage that Joseph was alert to the security of his
family; we should draw from that example and be in a position
to protect our kith and kin in times of needs. Let us relive
God’s confidence in us as Africans and be hospitable to
displaced persons. Submitted by Rev. Dr. M.P. Dibeela PRAYER
Dear Lord, as the holy family escaped to Egypt, so many of our
African brothers and sisters escape to other lands in the face
of political and economic crises. Bless all refugees and
enable them to return to their countries of origin in peace
and comfort, now and always. Amen. READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Jeremiah 3: 4; Hosea 11: 1 ‐ 4; Jeremiah 31: 15 ‐25; 10: 20 –
21; Psalm 77; Matthew 2: 12 ‐ 20; Exodus 4: 19 ‐23; Isaiah 11:
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