March 1, 2020

1^st Sunday of Lent

“The Lord your God shall you worship, and him alone shall you serve.”

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This week’s Marian image is another beautiful and tender image of Our Lady holding her infant son, Jesus.  It is called Rest on the Flight to Egypt by Pompeo Batoni, and was painted about 1740-1749.

This picture depicts the story of the Holy Family needing to flee into Egypt.  “The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.’ Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt” (Matthew 2:13-14).

Having left suddenly by night, you can imagine their exhaustion on this long journey, which this image portrays well.

As Jesus and Mary sleep, Joseph watches over them as their protector and guide, while the angels worship the Lord.

You are in my daily prayers.

God bless you,

Fr. VanDenBroeke