ACC ~ Matthew 2 v19

HOW JOSEPH PREFIGURED THE APOSTOLATE

HILARY: After the death of Herod, Joseph was advised by the angel to return to Judea with the boy and his mother. When he returned he heard that Archelaeus, son of Herod, was king. So he was afraid to go, but the angel admonished him to cross over into the region of Galilee, and they lived in the city of Nazareth. … Joseph resembles the apostles to whom Christ entrusted the spreading of the news about him. Similar to what happened with Joseph after the death of Herod, they must deal with the same people who caused the Lord to suffer. The apostles are commanded to preach to the Jews, for they were sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But when they saw that the power remained in the hands of inherited faithlessness, [1] they became afraid and retreated. ON MATTHEW 2.1. [2]

[1] Hereditariae infidelitatis.

[2] SC 254:100-102.