The Flight to Egypt

Today's Reflections

The Flight to Egypt 

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Mt 2:13-18

¹³When [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.” ¹⁴Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. ¹⁵He 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.”

¹⁶When 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. ¹⁷Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:/ ¹⁸“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.”

Reflection:

The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph. Joseph appears only twice in the gospels. In both instances, the sequence is the same: an angel appears to Joseph, Joseph is commanded to do something, and he carries out the divine mandate.

In the first instance (Mt 1:20-24), Joseph is told to take Mary his wife into his home and to name her son Jesus. And in today’s Gospel, Joseph is instructed to take Mary and Jesus in exile to Egypt to escape Herod’s murderous quest of the Child.

In neither case is there any recorded response from Joseph. But actions speak louder than words. Joseph listens, obeys, and does what he is commanded to do. Joseph follows the angel’s instructions for the safety of Jesus and Mary, for the love of his family.

People brighten up the lives of others by their service, help, availability, and sacrifice. We are thus challenged to bring light to others, keep our family one and intact, sacrifice out of love for a better future of the children, be dedicated and faithful, like Joseph.

God wants our safety and works for our protection. He uses and sends people to save and protect us. He may rouse us, too, and send us to save and protect other people.

“The greatest gift parents can give their children

is their love for each other.” How true is this saying?