Their intent was to steal whatever they could from the travelers, driven by the base instincts of greed and malice. Yet, even among the wicked, there was a glimmer of grace.
Titos, moved by some divine stirring, saw something extraordinary in the Holy Family. He perceived in the child Jesus a prophetic presence, and against the will of his companion Dacres, he chose to return what they had stolen from Joseph. In this moment, Titos showed a spark of repentance, while Dacres, hardened in his ways, scoffed at such compassion. The Virgin Mary, filled with both fear and motherly concern, wept bitterly, fearing for the safety of her divine Son. But Christ, in His infinite knowledge and sovereignty, reassured her with words that revealed His divine mission: “Do not be afraid, mother. When I am crucified on Calvary, these two will be crucified beside me—one on My right and one on My left.”
Indeed, the prophetic word was fulfilled. Titos, later known as the repentant thief crucified at Christ’s right hand, became the first to enter paradise through faith in the crucified Lord. Christ’s promise to Titos, “Today, you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43), was a fulfillment of the mercy shown to him on this fateful journey, when he first encountered the Savior of the world as a child.
Divine Protection and Escape
Throughout their journey, the Holy Family experienced divine protection at every turn. After resting in the forest of Geraral for forty days, they were discovered by a hunter who informed King Herod of their whereabouts. Herod, driven by a satanic zeal to destroy the Christ child, sent his soldiers to capture them. Yet, in a manner reminiscent of the ancient stories of Israel’s deliverance, the Lord intervened. An angel of God descended, leading the Holy Family through the wilderness in ways unknown to Herod’s soldiers, leaving their enemies confused and empty-handed.
The Visit to Tiberias and the Intervention of the Angel
The Holy Family’s journey did not end with their escape from Herod’s soldiers. They next traveled to Tiberias, where they sought refuge with a relative of the Blessed Virgin, a king named Cephas. In his house, they found a temporary shelter, yet the threat of Herod’s persecution loomed large. Herod, through treachery and deceit, attempted to bribe Cephas into betraying the Holy Family. But the king, faithful to his kinship with the Blessed Virgin, refused to give them up.
The Lord’s protection did not cease. An angel appeared once again to Our Lady, instructing her to flee from Tiberias to Lebanon, where they would find safety until the divine plan was fulfilled. The king, loyal and compassionate, accompanied the Holy Family partway on their journey, ensuring their safety before returning to his kingdom.
The Meaning of Their Migration: A Symbol of Divine Providence
This migration, my dear brethren, was not just a historical event. It was a pilgrimage of salvation, a divine act of God’s protection and guidance, a foretaste of the ultimate redemption that Christ would bring to the world through His life, death, and resurrection. The Holy Family’s trials and triumphs along the way remind us of the suffering and deliverance that all faithful souls must endure in this world, trusting in God’s providence.
Just as the Holy Family was led by the divine hand through the wilderness of persecution and trial, so too are we led by God through the wilderness of this life. Christ, who was once carried by His mother in flight from Herod, now carries us in His grace through the trials we face, promising us, as He promised the good thief, that those who believe in Him shall find rest in His eternal kingdom.
Conclusion: A Call to Faith and Commemoration
In this season of Wereha Tsigée, as we fast and pray, let us remember the Holy Family’s journey not merely as an ancient story, but as a living testament of faith, courage, and divine intervention.