Flight into Egypt through the Eyes of a Weary Traveler (Remnants of a trip to Assisi)
Story was inspired by Shellee Leif.
“Would you—from a message of an angel, leave your family and all you know and go where I ask you to go?”
It’s a fair question we all must come to terms with at some point in our faith journey. Most likely an easy “yes” pours forth as we gather the gumption to respond, “Yes, Lord. Here am I Lord. Send me” (Is. 6:8).
Mary knew the One she carried was heaven sent and by hind sight we all know the story well.
But you know—from our vantage point—saying “yes,” is a lot easier said than done. Knowing what He is asking of us takes discernment and thus we pray, Lord, help me to see things as You see them and not how I perceive them to be. We then pray as He taught us— “Thy will be done” (Matt. 6:10).
Mary’s response to the angel seemed so—angelic! “Yes, Lord. Be it done unto me according to Thy Word” (Luke 1:38).
So how do we discern Thy will? I recently went on retreat. Shellee Leif, the retreat director, shared while in Assisi, Italy. I thought I’d do likewise and tell a portion of what was taught.
At one point in Shellee’s life she wanted to learn more about the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola (used by many from many denominations) in order to learn how to better discern what His desire was for her. As part of the process, one of the exercises given was to take a passage from scripture and imagine herself in it. Imagining the sights and sounds was important as the next step was to have a conversation with those in the scene.
My friend pictured herself traveling with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph after Jesus was born. It was when Joseph was told by an angel to flee to Egypt. Joseph did as he was told.
As my friend desired to gain insight into discerning the will of God, she pictured herself walking along side the Holy Family. For a while, in her mind’s eye, all was quiet. Then, ever so gently, she prodded Joseph. “Joseph, so what are you thinking about?”
In her thoughts, Joseph responded. “Oh, you know—the usual. I’m wondering where we will stay, about the food and where our next meal will come from.” Feeling the weight of Joseph, my friend asked no further questions but continued walking along side the weary travelers.
After a time, she ventured into dialogue with Mary. “Mary, what are you thinking about as you travel the road ahead?” With gentle voice, she gave voice with an essence of calm. “Oh, sort of the same things but you know—but we have the Son of God with us so, we’re trusting Him.”
Trust is key in moments of discernment and knowing Mary entrusted all to Him brought comfort to my friend. There was, however, one more companion on the journey to whom she had not yet spoken. Soon, she did.
“So, Jesus—what are you thinking about on this journey with your family?”
Much to her delight, the Christ child turned her way and said, “I think this donkey is sooo cool!”
The laughter erupting from my friend spilled out freely for she knew well—her Companion.
She explains, “As I pondered, I realized a child does not have the same worries we adults have. They are able to experience and appreciate the journey in a more open, curious way which helps them appreciate the joys at hand amidst the trial.”
The next day my friend, Shellee, returned to the scripture passage and in prayer asked the Lord what she was to make of the illustrated story she’d stepped into. Immediately, a question formed within. “Would you, from a message of an angel, leave your family and all you know and go where I ask you to go?”
The message is one of trust as she challenged us, “If God calls us to go beyond our comfort zone and step into the unknown as He leads, will we trust Him and go?”
Knowing He knows—is trust worth pondering. “Great are the works of the Lord; to be pondered by all who love Him” (Psalm 111:2). Shellee not only ponders them, but now teaches others how to draw nigh in hearing His still small voice. Amen.
Shellee Leif lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband, Larry. She has a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and is a trained teacher and interviewer for the Catherine of Siena’s Called and Gifted Spiritual Gifts inventory. She is currently a full-time Spiritual and Retreat Director and recently published a reflection guide to help people learn and apply the rules of St. Ignatius of which she has been studying for the past fifteen years.
