When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:
A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more. MT 2:13-18
Today, we see the messenger of God warn Joseph in a dream to flee. I can’t imagine having an angel appear to me in my dreams, but then to do what the angel says is even harder for me to imagine. To flee my home and take my wife and two year old son in the middle of the night would be difficult and against my will. When I researched the distanced they traveled, I found Bethlehem to Egyptian territory to be somewhere between 40-75 miles without a car. They would have fled on foot and maybe with a donkey. It would have taken at least a week if not more. No cell phones or convenient stores, tablets or DVD players, and nothing to protect you from the elements. Mary and Joseph were very dedicated to doing God’s will. Jesus Christ was the center of their life from the beginning, still not completely understanding what was to come in their lives and His. They had to have great trust. Mary and Joseph have traveled quite a bit pregnant and with a small child in horrible conditions. I think many parents follow their footsteps and do whatever it takes to take care of each other and their children. Families are very special teams that work together to mirror the Holy Family and bring good into the world. We must fight to be good families and share the blessings of family with those who choose not to commit to marriage and family. Our parishes, communities, states, and country reflect the family. Do whatever it takes to sacrifice for your family.
Second, today we celebrate all of the two year old baby boys in Bethlehem that Herod massacred while the Holy Family fled. Take time to reflect and pray for those who are innocent and suffering. This may include babies who are the most innocent in the most sacred place, a mother’s womb, and they are being massacred (they have no one to defend themselves). In certain circumstances, those who are in prison or refugees fleeing persecution for a better life. May God protect all who are innocent!
Today’s challenge: Count your blessings, sacrifice everything for the family, pray for the innocent
Become a saint!
Christian YOLO
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