Exile in Egypt: Matthew 2:13-23
Imaginative Contemplation
Enter into the scene
Another dream, another response. Resting after the visit from those three wise men, I had another encounter with God. This time, disturbing my sleep, an angel appeared, ordering me to take the child and his mother and leave immediately for Egypt. When the visitors had told me about their interview with Herod, I was alarmed and feared for the child’s safety. What was I to do? I asked God for guidance, and he sent me a dream showing how I was to respond.
Rising in the night, I woke Mary and gathered a few essentials and set out for Egypt. No time to waste! Little Jesus cried when he was woken, but soon settled as we set out on the road.
Refugees now, I was so grateful for the golden gift our visitors had left us. In the days ahead, I was able to buy food and even shelter on some nights.
It was a long lonely trip. When we reached Egypt, I found difficulty with making myself understood. Foreign food, language, customs, they were all new to me.
Rumours reached us about the massacre in Bethlehem, how Herod, furious to learn of the visitors’ deception, had taken revenge on the little boys in the town and had ordered the murder of all male children under two years, hoping that the threat to his kingship would thus be removed. How we wept for those families! And how we thanked God for his protection for us and little Jesus!
It seemed a long time before we heard of the death of Herod and, with another angelic dream, were given the confidence to come back to Galilee. I settled the family in Nazareth, starting a carpentry business.
For further reflection
Discuss with Jesus the following points:
· Dreams allow our sub-conscious to penetrate our conscious mind. Do I have dreams that seem to be important? Do I have someone with whom I can share the experience and meaning of these dreams?
· Jesus, Mary and Joseph were refugees in Egypt. In today’s world, there are millions of people who have been forced from their homelands. How do I respond to refugees?
· Think of the impact that foreign language, culture, food and climate has on people living away from their homeland.
· How can I help refugees today?
· How can I support people who have had traumatic experiences?
Prayer
Lord, open my heart to the needs of people around me, especially those who are strangers in our land. Help me to welcome all people as your family. Amen.