Arise and take the Child and His Mother and
fly into Egypt (St. Matt. ii. 13)
It was not long before Mary experienced how
true Simeon's prophecy was to be. In the midst
of the night, as she slept with the Divine Infant
by her side, she was aroused by St. Joseph, who
ordered her to prepare to leave their home and to
go forth amid the darkness--and whither? To
Egypt, the land of Israel's foes; far away across the
desert, where they would be unknown and despised.
What a trial for Mary's obedience.
The command, moreover, seemed so harsh
and arbitrary a one. Surely the Omnipotent God
could have provided for the safety of His own Son
in a thousand ways without imposing a long and
painful journey. Yet Mary murmured not. If I
had received such a command, should I have
yielded a willing and uncomplaining obedience?
Watch Mary in her preparations: how
prompt, how orderly! She is thanking God for
this trial as she gets ready what is necessary for
the journey. How cheerful she is! how she makes
the best of everything! how she consoles St.
Joseph by her thoughtful ness, her charity, her
never-failing good humor! What a model to us
when unforeseen annoyances arise! The only way
to make our crosses light is to take them cheerily,
as Mary did.
Mary, model of resignation, pray for us.
Refuge in grief. Star of the Sea,
Pray for the mourner, pray for me.