Take the Child and his mother, Mary: Day 227

Last updated on: March 4, 2016 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Take the Child and his mother, Mary: Day 227 2016-02-22T12:25:54-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Take the Child and his mother

St. Alphonsus insists that the Holy Family’s exile in Egypt should teach us that we, too, must live as pilgrims here on earth.

Having fled to Egypt, the Holy Family resided there. Let’s consider the great poverty they must have suffered during the seven years which, according to some teachers, they spent there. They were foreigners unknown, without reve- nues, money, or family, barely able to support themselves by their humble efforts. “As they were destitute,” says St. Basil, “it’s evident that they must have labored hard to provide themselves with the necessities of life.” In addition, Landolph of Saxony has written (and let this be a consolation for the poor), that “Mary lived there in the midst of such poverty that at times she had not even a bit of bread to give to her Son when, compelled by hunger, he asked for it.”

After the death of Herod, the angel again appeared to St. Joseph in a dream, directing him to return to Judea (see Mt 2:19–20). St. Bonaventure, speaking of this return, considers how much greater the Blessed Virgin’s sufferings must have been because Jesus had grown so much. He was then about seven years of age, so “he was too big to be carried, and not strong enough to walk without assistance.”

The sight of Jesus and Mary wandering as fugitives through the world teaches us that we also must live as pilgrims here below, detached from the goods that the world offers us, and which we must soon leave to enter eternity: “For we have here no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come” (Heb 13:14). It also teaches us to embrace crosses, for without them we cannot live in this world. Whoever wishes to feel less the sufferings of this life must go in company with Jesus and Mary: “Take the Child and his mother” (Mt 2:13). All sufferings become light, and even sweet and desirable, to him who by his love bears this Son and this Mother in his heart. Let’s love them, then; let’s console Mary by welcoming in our hearts her Son, whom men even now continue to persecute
by their sins. —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
When I imagine the Holy Family’s exile in Egypt, what do I think would have been the most difficult aspect of their life in a foreign land? What lessons might I learn from them about being detached from the goods of this world?

CLOSING PRAYER
Mary, how were you able to “sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land” (see Ps 137:4)?
Only because the Lord was in exile with you, and the song you sang was his lullaby.

__________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Paul Thigpen and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

A Year with Mary

Paul Thigpen

Saint Alphonsus Ligouri

Saint Benedict Press

Previous Post

March 3, 2016

CBB Giveaway: I Saw His Face

Next Post

March 5, 2016 Mary merited by grace to be Jesus’ mother, Mary: Day 228

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz