Mt 2: 13-18
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.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 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.”
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. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “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.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Holy families in our midst
Today God is calling thousands of sons and daughters out of Egypt, Mexico, Rwanda, and many other countries around the world. God’s children are seeking the hospitality of countries that can offer them the ability to thrive, a gift that many of us take for granted on a daily basis. Photos come to mind that accompanied news stories in the U.S., especially images of innocent children separated from their parents. In the Christmas season we would rather focus on those stories that demonstrate the best in humanity. However, we must not turn our eyes, ears, and hearts away from those who are suffering greatly in our midst or those who died due to the lack of hospitality from those capable of offering it. May our prayer today open us to ask what God desires our response to be for these holy families seeking help. Will you hear their cries?
—Jodie Scordo is the Campus Minister and Coordinator of Student Life at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee.
Lord, your children are suffering around the world and you call us to respond. As we worship the Christ child in the manger, help us to see our savior in the faces of the children of the world asking us to respond to their cries for help and comfort. Open our hearts to all who we can help in big and small ways. Inspire us to be your messengers of peace and justice today and in the new year. Amen.
—Jodie Scordo
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