Matthew, 2
6. And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the clans of Judah, for from you will come a leader, the one who is to shepherd my people Israel."
6. And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the clans of Judah, for from you will come a leader, the one who is to shepherd my people Israel."
St. Matthew 2 narrates the story of the east wizards who visited Jesus after his birth, following a star that guided them to Belém. They ask about the birth of the "king of the Jews," which worries King Herod, who tries to deceive them to find out Jesus' location and kill him. The wizards, however, are warned in a dream so as not to return to Herod and return to their homes on the other way. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in São Matthew 2:
St. John 1:9 - "The true light, which illuminates every man, was coming into the world." This passage speaks of the coming of Jesus as the true light that illuminates everyone, which relates to the star that guided the wizards to him.
Isaiah 60:3 - "The nations will walk in your light, and the kings, to the glow of your dawn." This verse talks about the light that will shine about Jerusalem, attracting the nations and kings. This relates to the wizards, who came from another country to find Jesus, the king of the Jews.
Jeremiah 31:15 - "Thus says the Lord, A voice is heard in Ramá, lamentation and great weeping: Rachel cries her children; she refuses to be comforted, because they no longer exist." This verse speaks of the lament of mothers for their children, which relates to the Herod massacre of the children of Bethlehem, as described in St. Matthew 2:16-18.
Hosea 11:1 - "When Israel was a boy, I loved him; and from Egypt I called my son." This verse speaks of God's call to Israel, but can be interpreted as a prefiguration of God's call to Jesus as his beloved Son. This relates to the escape of the family of Jesus to Egypt to escape the persecution of Herod.
Micah 5:2 - "And you, Bethlehem -Frata, too small to appear as a group of thousands of Judah, will come out to me that will reign in Israel, and whose origins have been since ancient times, since the days of eternity . " This verse prophesies that a king would emerge from Bethlehem, who relates to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, as described in St. Matthew 2:1.
“Apóie-se, como faz Nossa Senhora, à cruz de Jesus e nunca lhe faltará conforto”. São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
