Evil desires. But did Herod actually and grievously sin against the Child Jesus? For after all he did not really kill Him! No, but he had the will to do so, and in this way sinned against Him.
The Holy Innocents gave their lives for Jesus, because Herod put them to death, thinking to reach Jesus through them. They were, so to speak, cleansed from original sin by the Baptism of blood, and taken by Jesus to heaven, seeing that they lost their lives for His sake. The Church venerates them as martyrs and commemorates them on Dec. 28th.
Application. Have you never murmured against the decrees of Divine Providence when evil has befallen you? You ought to give yourself over to God in all things, and say: “Thy will be done!”
Think what Jesus suffered for you during His flight into Egypt. It was still winter; the weather was cold, wet and stormy; and often He had no shelter over His head at night. Bear all sufferings patiently for love of Jesus; and, above all things, learn to bear and forbear.
Chapter X.
JESUS AT THE AGE OF TWELVE YEARS GOES
TO THE TEMPLE.
[Luke 2, 40— 52 ]
NOW Mary and Joseph went every year [1] to Jerusalem to celebrate the Pasch. When Jesus was twelve years old, He accompanied His parents to the holy city.
The festival days[2] being over, Mary and Joseph set out for their distant home; but the Child Jesus remained[3] in Jerusalem, and His parents knew it not[4]. They thought, at first, that He was in the company of some of their relatives, and so they jour-
- ↑ Every year. It was commanded by the law that every male Israelite should go to Jerusalem each year, for the three principal feasts (Old Test. XXXIX). This was not obligatory on the women, but pious women and maidens liked to take part in the pilgrimage, and Mary did not shrink from the severities of the long journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem which enabled her to visit the Sanctuary of the Lord. Boys above the age of twelve were bound to fast, to go to Jerusalem for the three feasts, and in all things to observe the law.
- ↑ Festival days. Which lasted a week.
- ↑ Remained. Intentionally.
- ↑ Knew it not. Owing to the great throng of about 500,000 pilgrims pressing through the gate, they lost sight of the relatives and acquaintances who accompanied them from Nazareth.
