Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/133

 keep thee  in  all  thy  ways."  (Ps.  xc.  11.)  Follow  this conduct,  and  not  your  own  ways,  and  you  will  always live  in  security.

III. "He arose,  and  took  the  child  and  His  mother by  night." Reflect on  the  perfect  obedience  of  St.  Joseph, He  submitted  his  judgment,  although  he  might have made  many  objections  against  so  sudden  a  departure. He immediately  conformed  his  will,  notwithstanding the  many  difficulties  which  presented  themselves. He promptly  and  accurately  executed  the  command;  he rose  that  very  night,  and  left  all  he  had,  uncertain  when he was  to  return. He performed  all  this  with  cheerfulness, because  he  knew  that  he  was  doing  the  will  of God. Compare your  obedience  with  his,  and  reform whatever is  faulty  in  it. Conform to  so  bright  an  example.

I. "And  they  retired  into  Egypt." (Matt. ii.  14.) They commenced  their  journey  without  delay. Ponder the tender  affections  and  compassion  of  the  mother  for her Child,  who  even  in  His  infancy  began  to  train  Himself to  suffer  inconveniences  and  hardships. She resigned herself, notwithstanding,  to  the  will  of  God. Reflect, also, how  this  divine  Infant  offered  himself  freely  to  His eternal Father,  even  in  His  early  days,  for  banishment and toils  and  misery. He rejoiced  to  go  into  Egypt,  to sanctify  it  by  His  presence  and  to  destroy  its  idols. " Behold, the  Lord  will  enter  into  Egypt,  and  the  idols  of Egypt  will  be  moved  at  His  presence." (Is. xix.  1.) Beseech Him  to  sanctify  you  in  the  holy  Eucharist,  and to destroy  the  idols  of  your  vicious  affections.