St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish Grand Prairie, Texas
Gospel Meditations
December 28, 2025
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
When I was ten, my dad gathered our family around the table in small-town Vermont and told us we were moving to the big desert city of Phoenix, Arizona. We were leaving behind family, friends, and everything familiar. None of us knew what to expect.
But something beautiful happened. As we made the move together, our family grew closer. In retrospect, I’m amazed at my parents’ courage to go on that adventure. Even as a kid I realized our family found, in that challenge, a deeper unity and mutual love.
In today’s Gospel, Joseph is told: “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee…” (Matthew 2:13, 20). First to Egypt, then later to Israel. The Holy Family is frequently challenged to move and change, to adapt to God’s will for them, in order to find safety in the midst of threat. It’s not just an idiosyncratic story about survival. It’s a spiritual pattern for all of us. Every Christian family is called to be a kind of sanctuary, especially in a world full of noise, busyness, and fear.
May I make a practical application for us? The Lord’s Day, Sunday, is perhaps the most practical way we imitate this dynamic we see in Joseph and his family. Sunday is not meant to be just like every other day, filled with errands and stress. It’s meant to be a day set apart; a holy “escape” into rest, worship, joy, and peace. A day to rise, take your family, and flee, into God’s presence.
— Father John Muir
©LPi
28 de diciembre de 2025
La Sagrada Familia
Mateo 2:13-15, 19-23
Jesús y su familia saben lo que es emigrar, cambiar de lugar y moverse con rapidez porque son perseguidos. Ellos vivieron en carne propia los efectos de esta situación. Quizá nosotros tenemos algún familiar o amigo que actualmente sufre las penurias de dejar su hogar, su escuela o su trabajo. José y María huyen por la amenaza de peligro que pesaba sobre ellos: "Levántate, toma al niño y a su madre, y huye a Egipto. Quédate allí hasta que yo te avise, porque Herodes buscará al niño para matarlo" (Mateo 2:13). Padre, madre e hijo huyeron hacia donde Dios les indicó, para salvar al niño. Este es un fiel reflejo de lo que representa la Sagrada Familia de Nazaret. Celebrar la fiesta de la Sagrada Familia durante la Navidad debe animarnos con esperanza, deseando que nuestras propias familias sean un lugar donde se respire amor y alegría entre sus miembros. ¿Cómo recibo hoy a las familias de mis hermanos y hermanas? ¿Cómo es mi convivencia con ellos?
"Ustedes, familias, son la esperanza de la Iglesia y del mundo. Con su testimonio del Evangelio pueden ayudar a Dios a realizar su sueño; pueden contribuir a acercar a todos los hijos de Dios, para que crezcan en la unidad y aprendan qué significa para el mundo entero vivir en paz como una gran familia" (Papa Francisco). Oremos por nuestras familias, deseando que, en este día dedicado a la Familia de Nazaret, imitemos su esperanza en Dios y su unidad en todo momento.
©LPi
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
CRHP Retreats
We invite all men and women of the parish to consider attending an upcoming Christ Renews His Parish retreats in January. This free retreat is a wonderful opportunity to step away from the busyness of daily life, renew your spirit, and deepen your relationship with the Lord. Through prayer, reflection, and community, participants are encouraged to discover new ways to become involved in parish life and serve the Lord using their God-given gifts. More details can be found on our website at stmichaelgptx.org/crhp.
End of Year Giving
There are only a few days left to make your gift count for the Tax Year 2025! The 2025 Contribution Statements will be mailed by January 31, 2026. Contributions made by December 31, 2025, will be reflected on the statements. You can either give in pew or online on our website. Thank you for your generous contributions and we pray that God will bless you in multitude.
