Return to Nazareth

Return to Nazareth: The Sanctification of the Hidden Life

After the death of King Herod the Great, the immediate danger had passed, allowing the Holy Family to conclude their time as refugees in Egypt and return to their homeland. This return, however, was carefully guided by God.

1. Divine Guidance and Prudence

The return trip was not a simple, straight shot back to Bethlehem:

• The Angel's Instruction: St. Joseph received a divine command in a dream: "Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead" (Matthew 2:20). Joseph's primary virtue remains his immediate obedience to the will of God, protecting his family above all else.

• A Prudent Deviation: Upon returning, Joseph heard that Archelaus, Herod's equally ruthless son, was ruling Judea (where Bethlehem is located). Out of prudence and safety for the Child, Joseph was again warned in a dream. He therefore turned away from Judea and traveled further north to the less politically volatile region of Galilee.

• The Final Settlement: They ultimately settled in their original hometown, the small, quiet, and largely insignificant village of Nazareth.

2. The Prophetic Fulfillment: The Nazarene

Matthew highlights that the choice of Nazareth was itself a fulfillment of prophecy:

• The Prophecy: Matthew states, "...and he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene" (Matthew 2:23).

• The Significance of the Name: While there is no single Old Testament verse that explicitly says "He shall be called a Nazarene," the term often carried connotations of contempt or lowliness (John 1:46: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"). The name is likely linked to prophecies referring to a despised branch (nezer) or sprout from the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1).

• Theology: By settling in Nazareth, Jesus embraced a humble identity, confirming that the Messiah would be overlooked and despised by the world's standards—a theme that permeates His life and Passion.

3. The Sanctification of Ordinary Life

The return to Nazareth initiates the "Hidden Years" of Jesus's life, lasting for nearly three decades (until His baptism around age 30).

• Model for the Faithful: The Church teaches that these silent years are essential. Living quietly, working honestly as a tekton (carpenter/builder) with Joseph, and observing Jewish piety, Jesus sanctified the entire spectrum of human, ordinary life.

• The Dignity of Work: This period elevates the dignity of manual labor and family life. It shows that true holiness is achieved not only in dramatic ministry or public acts but in the faithful execution of daily duties within the family and community.

The family's decision to settle in Nazareth was not the path of least resistance, but the path of God’s perfect will, preparing Jesus for His ministry through silence, obedience, and ordinary human experience.

.

Related Post