ACC ~ Matthew 2 v14

WHILE PALESTINE PLOTS, EGYPT RECEIVES

CHRYSOSTOM: Mary, who had never even passed beyond the threshold of her own house, was commanded to undergo this long ordeal of adversity for the sake of this wonderful birth and for her own spiritual labor and development. Isn’t this remarkable: While Palestine plots, it is Egypt that receives and preserves the One for whom the plots are designed! This is reminiscent of the patriarch Jacob, who also sought succor in Egypt, [1] anticipating the coming of our Lord. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 8.2. [2]

[1] Gen 45:25—46:7.

[2] PG 57:85; NPNF 1 10:52**.

AS A MAN CHRIST WOULD NOT FLEE DEATH

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: Christ promised that he would come incarnate, that he would go through the phases of life, that he would announce the glory of the kingdom of heaven, that he would proclaim the way of faith and that by the power of his word alone he would put demons to flight. He promised that he would give sight to the blind, gait to the lame, speech to the mute, hearing to the deaf, remission for sinners and life to the dead. All these things he promised through the law and the prophets. Thus it was that Christ, when he was to become a man, was not to flee the death he escaped as an infant. SERMONS 150.10. [1]

[1] CCL 24b:938.

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