ÀҾ˹éÒ˹ѧÊ×Í
PDF
ePub

est

17. Tunc adimpletum quod dictum est per Jeremiam prophetam dicentem:

18. Vox in Ramâ audita est, ploratus et ululatus multus: Rachel plorans filios suos, et noluit consolari, quia non sunt.

17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying:

3

18. A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning, Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

The slaughter of the Innocents has been a subject dear to Christian sympathy and Christian devotion.

Some people will think that we have brought the number of the little martyrs down to a small figure. There is a new French commentator (perfectly orthodox) who calculates the number to be ten or fifteen.

The number is not a material difficulty in the case. Some pious writers make conclusions from the Apocalypse and multiply the numbers. When we take into consideration the size of Bethlehem, and add in the surrounding cabins, we really see that grief raged all over the village at the carrying out of this inhuman edict.

This verifies the prediction of the prophet, which the Evangelist quotes.

1Then Herod.-The general interpretation as given by Dr. Mc Evilly is this. Herod was occupied with State business and forgot about the Magi. He heard of the prophecies and other demonstrations at the Presentation in the Temple. He perceived then that the Magi did not obey him. He feared for his throne and had already put two of his own sons and a beloved wife to death. He resolved on the cruel deed of putting to death together all the children amongst whom the young Messias could possibly be found.

Two years old and under.—A Lapide and some other writers put off the slaughter of the Innocents for some fifteen months after the birth of our Lord. There is no occasion for that as Herod went beyond the date of the Star's appearance in order to make sure of the matter. The general opinion is that the massacre took place about the first Passover after our Lord's birth. Josephus does not mention this massacre: but Macrobius does and so do Origen contra Celsum, and Justin against Tryphon a Jew. Bethlehem was little known. Amongst a thousand inhabitants, and a few neighbouring families, the most probable opinion is that about one hundred children suffered death.

3 Rachel.-Rachel was buried near Ephrata or Bethlehem. The sentence from Jeremias xxxi. 15. which S. Matthew quotes here has been variously applied, to the Babylonish Captivity, to Jeremias and his

companions, and great are the efforts of commentators to explain it. The simple natural meaning is that it was a beautiful figurative prophecy which applied to the slaughter of the Innocents and nothing else.

Another discourse can be given upon Herod's conduct. How futile are man's efforts against God's designs.

Ist. We should try to know the Will of God.

2nd. We should try to follow it.

3rd. We should be resigned when it is against our grain or inclinations. To be glad here is great virtue.

19. Defuncto autem Herode, ecce angelus Domini apparuit in somnis Joseph in Ægypto.

20. Dicens:"Surge, et accipe Puerum et Matrem ejus, et vade in terram Israel: defuncti sunt enim qui quærebant animam Pueri."

21. Qui consurgens accepit Puerum et Matrem ejus, et venit in terram Israel.

22. Audiens autem quód Archelaus regnaret in Judæâ pro Herode patre suo, timuit illò ire; et, admonitus in somnis, secessit in partes Galilææ.

23. Et veniens habitavit in civitate quæ vocatur Nazareth, ut adimpleretur quod dictum est per prophetas, quoniam Nazaræus vocabitur.

The Holy Innocents. Their feast is kept at Christmas. They were the first martyrs.

1st. Baptised in their blood. 2nd. Undefiled by actual sin. 3rd. Primitiae Deo et Agno.

Their office in the Liturgy of the Church has two aspects. It is sad on the day itself and joyful on the Octave. Grief here begets joy hereafter.

1

19. Now Herod being dead, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt,

20. Saying: Rise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead, who sought the life of the child :

21. Who, rising up, took the child, and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22. But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea in the room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in sleep, he retired into the parts of Galilee.

23. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled, what was said by the prophets: that he shall be called a Nazarene.

3

There are several questions brought forward at this particular stage of S. Matthew's Gospel, which require consideration.

Herod the Great had passed away and an angel told Joseph about the fact in Egypt.

The last of the Patriarchs returned with his spouse and her son, but finding a son of Herod succeeding his father, he went to Mary's little house and property in Nazareth, and then added to their power of giving alms, some shekels by his labours as a carpenter.

This scene strikes as truly sublime. A quiet retired village, a small house with small means and a humble unobtrusive calling kept the world out, and kept God within, in the sweet House of Nazareth.

The derivation of the name is made too much of the flower, the bud, the growth, and all the meanings which spring from the Hebrew root are made more of by writers than they deserve.

Our opinion is that Nazareth was the happiest spot this world ever saw for thirty long years, and that its derivation does not come up to its reputation.

1 Herod being dead.-His death was horrible. He was eaten alive by a most loathsome disease which Josephus describes. His Palestine was divided among his four sons, none of whom were Kings, but only Tetrarchs or governors of the fourth part of a Kingdom. No King with Jewish blood in his veins ever reigned in Jerusalem since the death of Herod I., who was but half a Jew.

Nazareth. This was the birthplace of Mary and we know that she possessed a house and some little property in her own right. Joseph chose to dwell there now, because he feared Archelaus, and because the noise made about Our Lord's birth had scarcely come down that far. Those who think that the stay in Egypt was of a few years, instead of months, consider Our Lord to be now manifesting his grace before men, and that he might be known thereby as the Messias in Bethlehem.

3 He shall be called a Nazarene.-He has been called a Nazarene, as a title of reproach, during his lifetime and often since; but what prophet says so? S. Chrysostom and a few others say that some prophet has said so, very likely in one or other of the books of the Old Revelation which are lost. S. Jerome and some others say that the reference is to Isaias xi. I. "There shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and

a flower shall rise up out of his root." Netzer is a bud and Nezarite a flower. The words as quoted by S. Matthew do not occur in any part of the Old Testament preserved to our time.

Some modern writers doubt the authenticity of these two chapters of S. Matthew; because it is so hard to reconcile them with S. Luke. The apparent differences of the Evangelists, when not contradictory, prove their genuineness. They wrote independently and how marvellously they agree in the main !

Reposing in the hand of God. Nothing is so remarkable as the care God takes of those who trust in him.

Quia speravit in me liberabo eum. Ps.

1st. A father or mother likes to be trusted.

2nd. They love their children more than the children love them.

3rd. God likes to place us under new obligations.

S. Joseph's conduct is just the effect of his wisdom and love. He thinks of nothing but his charge. For Him,

Ist. He goes off at night to Egypt.

2nd. He starts at once home. 3rd. He steals off to Nazareth in order to escape His enemies.

Fidelis servus et prudens quem constituit Deus super familiam suam.

CHAPTER III.

The preaching of John: Christ is baptised.

1. In diebus autem illis, venit Joannes-Baptista prædicans in deserto Judæææ.

2. Et dicens: "Pœnitentiam agite: appropinquavit enim regnum cœlorum."

3. Hic est enim qui dictus est per Isaiam prophetam dicentem: Vox clamantis in in deserto: Parate viam Domini, rectas facite semitas ejus.

4. Ipse autem Joannes habebat vestimentum de pilis camelorum, et zonam pelliceam circà lumbos suos; esca autem ejus erat locustæ et mel sylvestre.

1. Now in those days came 1 John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea;

2. And saying: "Do penance; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3. For this is he, who was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.

4. And John himself had his garment of camel's hair; and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

S. Matthew introduces the Baptist to us in Oriental fashion. The King is coming to take possession of His kingdom and the herald goes before Him to tell the people to prepare a way or make a road for Him. In the East, as travellers know, the roads are not macadamised. They are little better than coarse paths. When a King came the people ran out with their spades and made the road for his chariot-wheels as smooth as they could.

Our Lord is coming to take possession of the Kingdom of Heaven. He is, in fact, to found a new kingdom, not resting its glory upon crowns and glittering ornaments; but upon poverty and humility.

The heralds of Eastern monarchs were dressed in fine garments, wore any amount of spangles and precious stones; blew their silver or golden trumpets and then gave forth their important announcement about the royal personage.

« ¡è͹˹éÒ´Óà¹Ô¹¡ÒõèÍ
 »