- Probable time of the Magi Mat 2:1 Into the “house” after the shepherds & the manager/cave. Possible as long as two years later[1]
- Probable time of the Flight to Egypt 2 years later from Our Lord’s birth, an excellent overview is in the footnotes[2]
Population of Jews in Egypt from the time of Moses and the Pharaohs
The gifts from the Magi facilitated travel, turtle doves working class, not the poor on the streets. Joseph had a valuable trade as a carpenter. Comfortable lifestyle.
Poverty attachment to things. Mary & Joseph not own glorification but given to the Temple, many layers of giving.
Modern sensibilities through the Gospel. Either Mary & Joseph were immigrant or poor nowhere to rest their head.
Words univocal meaning. Ex/ bench and various equivocal meaning.
26 letters innumerable thoughts, limited means for articulating.
Joseph capable. Harm to goodness God intended, Lord born into, fit political narratives so we feel give to poor, preferential option. Rich can be poor. Not only material , but spiritual needs too.
What does this mean to us? Material poverty, commanding to live on destitution. This isn’t it, not apropos with dignity of man.
[1] https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-truth-of-the-nativity-story accessed January 7, 2025
[2] https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/do-the-infancy-narratives-of-matthew-and-luke-contradict-each-other accessed January 7, 2025