by Megan McKenna

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 | Colossians 3:12-21 | Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

"Who are we drawing into the circle of God?"  

For us, just days after the child is born, danger appears. Oh, the book of Sirach seeks with folk wisdom in the culture of the Jewish family to teach what the commandment "Honor your father and mother" looks like in practice. Do not grieve your parents. Care for them in their old age, be considerate of them, even if their minds fail, revere them. But this is the old way, with this respect limited to blood ties. Now the family has extended out into time and space.

Paul reminds us that we are all now God's chosen ones and we are to care for all and love each other with "heartfelt mercy, kindness, humility, meekness (nonviolence) and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving as God has forgiven us, and over all, bind ourselves with the swaddling cloths of love and Christ's peace." Because now the Word dwells within us. Now we are the living, breathing, singing gospel...