Jesus’ Life: Chapter 2 – Jesus’ Birth And Childhood
Conflict, wars, migration, refugees, destruction, death… they are everyday news headlines. Tomorrow there will be world peace!
Well, peace in my heart, with Jesus I pray.
After the Three Wise Men departed from visiting the Holy Family in Bethlehem, an Angel appeared to Joseph and told him, “Flee to Egypt.”
Herod had tried to trick the three visiting Wise Men. As they followed the star, he hoped that once they found the baby Jesus, they would return and tell him of his whereabouts. Instead, on the instructions of an Angel, they travelled home by a different route. His trick hadn’t worked.
An enraged Herod was determined that no Newborn King would overthrow him. So, he sent orders to kill all newborn boys, up to the age of two years in the Bethlehem district. This sad event, in the hope that his soldiers would find and kill the baby Jesus, is generally referred to as the Death of the Holy Innocents; the first martyrs of the Christian Church.
Joseph took his wife and the child Jesus across the border to Egypt, as the Angel had instructed and where Herod had no legal authority. The Holy Family stayed there until Herod died and then returned safely to their home. (Mt 2:13-21)
Thought
Almighty Father, the horror of our inflicted cruelty through wars causes daily death and agony; the death of innocent children and families, we often casually refer to as “collateral damage,” unimportant!
Why do we continue to be so insensitive to your beautiful creation of life?
Reflection
Lord Jesus, forgive us our sins and direct us to your loving and Sacred Heart.
Prayer: Teach Us
Teach us Good Lord;
To serve you as you deserve;
To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds;
To toil and not to seek for rest;
To labour and to ask for no reward,
Save that of knowing we do your will.
