Their stay in Egypt for several years among strangers is best appreciated by those persons who have themselves experienced the bitterness of exile. Christ knew that many of His followers would endure those ills, and He wished to leave them a most consoling example. _POINT III. Consider the massacre of the Innocents._ All its cruelty was meant for Christ, and cruel persecution has been continued against His followers throughout the ages, and is so to the present day. He had foretold it: “The disciple is not above the master, nor the servant above his lord. If they have called the good-man of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household” (St. Matth. x, 24-25). We must then be patient under any kind of molestation, though of course we may use all honest means to prevent it. The persecution works the good of them who properly endure it. See this exemplified in the massacre of the innocents. It was very wickedly done, a cruel injustice and bitter suffering to the little ones, and a still more dreadful affliction to their mothers; but it resulted in eternal glory for the children. When a priest blesses an article of devotion, he makes a cross over it; so the Lord bestows His blessings with a cross. Every sorrow comes from the hand of our loving Lord, and is meant for the good of those who love Him: “To them that love God all things work together unto good” (Rom. viii, 28). _Colloquy._ With Jesus and Mary, begging for constant fidelity in the imitation of my Divine Model amid all trials, with a firm confidence in His loving providence: “Know ye that no one hath hoped in the Lord and hath been confounded” (Ecclus. ii, 11). THE SECOND MEDITATION On the Private Life of Christ _1st Prelude._ Recall the few verses in which Holy Writ records the history of the eighteen years of Christ’s private life, from His loss in the temple to His entrance on His public life: “And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age, and grace with God and men” (St. Luke ii, 51-52), “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” (St. Matth. xiii, 55). _2nd Prelude._ Imagine you see the modest cottage of the Holy Family at Nazareth, where Mary is preparing a meal, while Joseph and the youthful Saviour are working in the adjacent carpenter shop. _3rd Prelude._ Ask grace to understand the wonderful lessons of sanctity here taught, and to grow in the love and imitation of your Redeemer.