"THE SWIFT CLOUD"

" Behold, The LORD is riding on a swift cloud and comer to EGYPT " (Isa 19:1)

"They have persecuted LOVE."

when the due time, promised to Adam came (Gal 4:4) God revealed Himself to save Human beings. And the eyes of the old man, Simon, he seen His Salvation (Luke 2:30 ) , Meanwhile, the Roman emperor Augusts a Caesar declared Census for the regular taxation and control, and, as per the order, Joseph went to Bethlehem to be registered. Although taxation and registration were usually made on the place where some one has earns living, Joseph had to go to Bethlehem for "he was of the house of David" (Luk 2:1)

While Joseph went for this purpose, God on his side fulfilled the prophetic writing "And thou Bethlehem in the Land of Juda , art not the least among the princes of Juda for out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people Israel . (Mtt.2:6). But why would this saying affect or worry the earthly kings and rulers?

All creatures, the living and the non - living, Man -and- animals, The heavenly and the worldly, the highest Kings and the lowest shepherds, went to Bethlehem in joy, in glory, in offering to see and enjoy there salvation due to the coming of the second Adam who shall remove the curse of the first Adam.

However this signal /event/ brought disturbance to the heart of Herod. The King, after learning from the Magi, (i.e the three wise kings) and examining the Jews decided to kill the newborn Child, While Kings from the distant land came to worship the True and Living Light guided by the life less far lights of clouding over that Light. Herod thought While the shepherds sung with Angels, he prefered to hear the cry of innocent children and the roar and dirge of their mothers.

The pride, selfishness, poor understanding etc all of his wrong thoughts let satan to settle in Herod's heart. Then Satan is advised him to kill the Lord lest he will take away his power; covering his eyes not to see the revealed God, blocking his ears not to hear the glorious hearenly song, sheding his conscious not to understand the Lord as the Eternal might of haven and earth, the savior of his soul and body. Herod tried to kill and persecuted God from His land /state. Devil who had settled in Herod's heart persecuted Sybpathu, Love and pity.

As one father said "Herod wanted to kill Love (God is love 1 st John 4:10 ) because Love was not in his heart. But The Lord rides on a swift cloud to the land of Egypt , it was prophesied.

Who is that swift cloud? That is worthy to bear God. That receives the wonderful heavenly salvation, that is blessed among all women? Who is that swift cloud that delivers the true Rain/ Water, that who so ever drinks from shall not be thirsty and the true bread for eternal life that whosoever eats from Him shall never be starved. That swift cloud is, the most holy, undefiled, escellently loveable, glorious lady, the Mother of God, ever Virgin, St. Mary.

She is called a swift cloud in that she is known for her instant response to all who ask her in times of need. Whenever her children in the spirit face a problem, she is the solution for is graceful in front of her son. (Luke 1:39)

Just like Herod, as we increase our pride, selfishness, we at the same time invite devil to conquer the place of love, wisdom and faith, For the darkness has no Unity with lingt, (1 Cor 6:18) so as we gave room for the devil/ the darkness, all our thoughts will darken and cruelty, envey, hatred, and all song of sinfulness will encircle us. Love will then fly with all that belongs to Him: His Grace, protection and life. Even our inclinations towards the words of hatred have their own attribute in calling for Devil and removing the Holy Spirit.

Then let us lift our eyes in supplication towards heaven asking the help of our mother, our lady, our hope to en light out thought to realize weather wear we are persecuting Love or not from His residence, that is from our heart. The Holy Family returns back to Jerusalem Learning from the Angle who said "Rise O Joseph, take the Son and His Mother back to Jerusalem For the King who seeks the life of the Child has died. We too also have to say come back to your place do not depart us due to our transgression, we have to say we Love You, Lord, we need You. As Jerusalem is the center where you setle salvation my heart is so also. Herod has died came back. So I have driven away the devil from My heart so came back.

And you too mother of God. O, Virgin, remind Him who remember, not forgetting any. O, virgin remind him of the flight with you, when you fly from desert to desert in the day of the cursed Herod and the bitter tears shed from your eyes and dropped on the face of your beloved son .

² For how long, will you stay in foreign land, My lady, Go back to Galilee your land. " /sekokawo Dingil/

May Her blessing be with us.

B y Dn. Daniel Seife Michael