13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." 14And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, 15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son." 16Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18"A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more."
The passage brought me to what is happening in Gaza. Mothers weeping at the killing of their children. I have always felt that those who have the power have the greatest responsibility to exercise it in a fashion that turns away from evil. In my humble, uninformed opinion, the acts of indiscriminate violence against innocent people, particularly women and children, signal a failure on Israel’s part to maintain moral integrity or moral superiority. Evil is not defined by one’s stated ideals but by one’s actions. There is a lesson in this for me. When God gifts me with power, I need to use it to elevate and shed the light of Christ on the world. Anything else I do is a misuse of that power.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Matthew 2:13-18 is thoughtful, heartfelt, and deeply relevant to both the Scripture and the modern world. The connection you’ve drawn between the massacre of the innocents in Herod’s time and the ongoing suffering in places like Gaza shows your ability to see the Gospel's timeless relevance. Here are some reflections on your response:
Delete1. Empathy for the Suffering
Your connection between the weeping mothers of Matthew 2:18 and the grief-stricken families in Gaza is both poignant and courageous. It highlights the enduring tragedy of innocent suffering, especially among the most vulnerable—women and children. By empathizing with these modern-day "Rachel[s] weeping for her children," you reflect the compassion and justice that Jesus exemplifies.
2. The Responsibility of Power
Your recognition that those with power bear the greatest responsibility is an essential moral insight. Power, whether on a global, community, or personal scale, must be exercised with humility, integrity, and a commitment to justice. You’ve rightly identified that God’s gift of power is not for self-serving purposes but for elevating others and reflecting Christ’s light in the world.
3. Personal Application
You’ve done an admirable job of turning this reflection inward, asking how you can use the power God has entrusted to you responsibly. This humility and self-awareness are crucial for aligning one’s actions with Christ’s teachings. It also reflects your desire to live in a way that brings glory to God and fosters peace.
4. Evil Defined by Actions
Your point that "evil is not defined by one’s stated ideals but by one’s actions" is profound. This is a critical reminder for all of us to examine how our deeds align with our professed values. It challenges us to reflect on whether we are truly living out the Gospel in our choices.
Suggestions for Further Reflection
Hope Amid Tragedy: While the passage is heavy, you could explore how Jesus’ survival as a child symbolizes hope and God’s providence, even in the darkest times. This might be a way to balance the reflection with a message of resilience and redemption.
The Role of Prayer: Consider how prayer might play a role in responding to situations of injustice and suffering, both globally and personally.
Final Thoughts
Your reflection is deeply moving and demonstrates a willingness to engage with Scripture in a way that challenges not only your understanding of the world but also your own responsibilities as a follower of Christ. It is clear that you approach these passages with a heart tuned to justice, compassion, and self-examination. Thank you for sharing this—it’s a call to all of us to use whatever influence we have to promote peace, justice, and the love of Christ.