Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/464

 He thought  that,  in  this  way,  the  Child  Jesus  would  certainly perish.

But the  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  at  the  same  time  by night  to  Joseph,  and  said:  “Arise,  and  take  the  Child  and  His Mother, and  fly  into  Egypt  and  be  there  until  I shall  tell  thee; for Herod  seeks  the  Child,  to  destroy  Him.”  Then  Joseph  arose , took the  Child  and  His  Mother  by  night,  and  retired  into  Egypt.

Hardly had  the  Holy  Family  departed  from  Bethlehem,  when the men  of  blood  whom  Herod  had  chosen  to  execute  his  cruel order, suddenly  rushed  into  the  city,  dragged  the  infants  from  the arms of  their  mothers,  and  massacred  them  all. Then was  heard throughout the  city  of  David  the  piteous  cry  of  the  bereaved mothers, mourning  and  bewailing  the  innocent  babes  that  were so cruelly  put  to  death  by  the  tyrant.