Piety

Jesus, where are we going? Where will you take us? No matter the destination, protect us and all your Holy Innocents today and always from walking in darkness. As you fulfilled the prophecies of yesterday, teach us how to fulfill your Word in our modern lives. Open our ears so we may learn how to be the protector of your spirit in the world as your protect us from temptation, deliver us from evil and grant us peace. Amen.

Study

All history pivots on the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The Before. The Now. The Future.

In our first two days after Christmas, the Church gave us readings that looked forward. These reminded us of where the salvation story leads – action/evangelization, martyrdom and conquering sin and death. Today, through the Feast of the Holy Innocents and the flight to Egypt, Matthew looks back to see what the prophets said as fulfilled in this Birth. He connects the Jesus Story to what has come before and weaves the present reign of Herod (and his heirs) with that of Jesus.

The NAB notes explain that Egypt was a traditional place of refuge for those fleeing from danger in Palestine.[1]

When Solomon tried to have Jeroboam killed for his rebellion, he escaped to King Shishak, in Egypt, where he remained until Solomon's death. 1 Kings 11:40

When King Jehoiakim and all his officers and princes were informed of his words, the king sought to kill him. But Uriah heard of it and fled in fear to Egypt. Jeremiah 26:21

Just like Ahikam protected Jeremiah, Joseph protected Jesus and Mary so the baby was not handed over to death. On a literal level, the flight to Egypt is another example of Joseph’s humble, unfailing protection of the Holy Family and obedience to God.

In an historical context, the story is fulfillment of prophecies mentioned. However, perhaps the main reason why Jesus is taken to Egypt is so that he may relive the Exodus experience. Moses obtained the release of Israel from imprisonment in Egypt. Jesus goes beyond Mosaic Law. Jesus will release us from a different imprisonment – the prison of sin. In his life is a new covenant. On this deeper level, this development allows Jesus to share a common heritage with the people when He emerges out of Egypt as the “New Moses” taking his people in a whole new direction.

Action

Where do you dwell? In the virgin womb. In a manger. In Egypt. In the village of Nazareth.

http://www.nazarethvillage.com/news.php

Just as Joseph is lead to Nazareth, we can be lead there as well. Here is a link that opens a door on a letter by the executive director of Nazareth Village, a site in Israel that recreates life when Jesus lived there. It provides contact information to support the village, help it continue operations (until you can visit) and rebuild from the rockets that land around it when tensions in the region heat up.

What other doors can you open to let Jesus in?

[1] http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew2.htm#foot7