Matthew 2:13-18 Reflection ~
There have been unjustified killings throughout history because someone did not agree with another person or group. Evil continues to subtly support anger and infiltrates our human sphere. My father was part of the WW2 liberation forces, and my daughter interned at the Holocaust Museum. Horror from deviants and superiority is never far from my thoughts. The rise of anger and selfishness, among other vices, can be distressful. To help find peace, I have learned it is acceptable to have fleeting lamenting thoughts and pray deeply with Saint Joseph as he knew what was about to occur.
The Flight into Egypt by James Tissot.
The full-resolution painting and more detail are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Christmastide Reflections
Matthew 2:13-18 – Scripture*
The Escape to Egypt
13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
The Massacre of the Infants
16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 2:13-18 Reflection – To Help Find Peace.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 2 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.