In the last pontifical audience of 2021, on Wednesday, Pope Francis made a comparison between St. Joseph, just and courageous, and the tyrant Herod

Newsroom (December 29, 2021, 4:00 PM, Gaudium Press) In the last pontifical audience of the year, Pope Francis pronounced his catechesis again on the figure of St. Joseph.

Herod, learning of the birth of the Child Jesus, orders the massacre in Bethlehem. But St. Joseph is warned in a dream by the Angel and flees.

The flight into Egypt: great adversity for the Holy Family

Francis explained that the Holy Family’s flight was a great trial for them that they had to face: humiliation, fear, and pain.

The Pope compared this situation to that of so many other people today and stated that “the cause is almost always the same: the arrogance and violence of the powerful.”

The danger of tyranny

“We find before us two opposing personalities: on the one hand, Herod with his ferocity, and on the other, Joseph with his diligence and his courage.”

Herod is cruel and is willing to retain his power even if it is necessary to kill. Francis explained that Herod is symbolic of all tyrants throughout history.

However, he warned that each one of us can become a tyrant if we seek to harm others in order to quell our fears. “We too have within our hearts the possibility of being little Herods.”

St. Joseph and Herod, two opposites

On the opposite side of the figure of Herod, there is St. Joseph, a righteous man! “Herod and Joseph are two opposite characters, who reflect the two faces of humanity forever,” Francis said.

St. Joseph gives proof of courage by obeying the Angel. “Courage is synonymous with fortitude which, with justice, prudence and temperance, is part of the group of human virtues called ‘cardinal,'” the Pope explained.

St. Joseph shows that courage is a necessary virtue, because daily life demands courage: “It is not possible to live without courage to face the difficulties of each day,” Francis concluded.

St. Joseph: Model of Courage in Providence

The lesson of St. Joseph is that even in the face of life’s adversities we must act with courage in Divine Providence.

As a conclusion to his catechesis, the Pope remembered all those who have had to leave their homeland:

“St. Joseph, you who have experienced the suffering of those who must flee you who were forced to flee to save the lives of your loved ones, support all those who flee because of war, hatred and hunger. Help them in their difficulties, strengthen their hope, and make them find shelter and solidarity. Guide their steps and open the hearts of those who can help them. Amen!” (FM)

With information from VaticanNews.

Compiled by Zephania Gangl