Two days ago, we celebrated the commemoration of “The Holy Family” entrance to the land of “Egypt” that coincides with the 1st of June. On this day St. Mary ran with Baby Jesus from the evil represented in Herod the King who sought to kill Baby Jesus for nothing, but his fear for losing his kingdom. As when he met the Wise Men from the East, they told him a king was born, so he became discomposed and avidly sought to kill him using his authority, power and ammunition. Thus, Egypt became a resort to the Holy Family and its land was blessed for Its advent.
Evil and death
The Holy Family escape to Palestine was not weakness, but rather a divine protection from evil so that a mission for the sake of the world will be fulfilled. Evil is connected with destruction and death as since dawn of history, evil was embodied in a person who murdered his brother committing the first crime known to mankind. Its consequence was that the killer remained fugitive for his whole life experiencing no comfort or peace. When evil grew in the world, murder, injustice and desecration increased. Thus, all the signs of life disappeared under the flood that wiped away all the living things from the face of the earth. Noah the prophet and his children were the only remnants so that they would be able to cultivate the land again for they carried the seeds of good in their souls. However, shadows of evil remained and it spread again, thus God offered Moses the Prophet His commandments. The sixth commandment was, “You shall not murder”. It declared that murdering an innocent soul is a despised action that angers the Lord. God created man for life not death, happiness not sadness, peace not war, love and goodness not evil and grudge. Thus, Herod the king distorted this human image seeking to murder Baby Jesus and when he couldn’t reach his goal, he destroyed the children of Bethlehem forgetting that life is not but a short or long time we will live, then we’d leave to another unending life in heaven after everyman gives a record of what he has done. So if one chooses to be like Herod preferring murder, he shall not reap anything but death. Whoever chooses goodness with all the life it carries shall be granted an extended endless happy life as this is God’s Justice.Egypt was always a safe resort that God’s men: saints and prophets sought. It will remain the country of peace for the prayers that are sent up in all its sides for it. Some may think the gloom deepened, but the sun of love will never disappear. All love and living things are from God as “God is love”.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
