He ordered the massacre

Greetings on this the Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
Readings: 1 Jn 1:5—2:2; PS 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18
Notes: We always need honesty within.

From honesty we can progress with truth.
From denial we regress to the most basic of instincts: alliance and advantage.

• King Herod, the Great, was the king reigning when Jesus was born. He is the one of today’s gospel portion who killed the innocent children.
• King Herod Antipas (the Tetrarch), was king when Jesus was in ministry. He is the one who killed John the Baptist.
• King Herod Agrippa I, was king who martyred James and attempted to execute Peter.

Power Generations

• Father
• Son
• Grandson (Nephew to Herod Antipas, grandson to Herod).

Reflection

The Holy Innocents are few in comparison to the genocide and abortion of our day. But even if there had been only one, we recognize the greatest treasure God put on the earth—a human person, destined for eternity, and graced by Jesus’ death and resurrection. From: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/holy-innocents

First reading
My children, I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

Responsorial Psalm
Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Alleluia Verse
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

Gospel Portion
There is a correlation between the story of the Holy Innocents and Elective Abortion.
There is a major difference in causation.

• The Holy Innocents were victims of power, alliance and advantage.
• Abortion is a reflection of love and not being loved.

The story of Jacob, Rachael and Leah is a most difficult one when one considers the reason for the tears. Jacob begins in the Book of Genesis chapter 25 ending in chapter 35. It is a very rich collection of family woes: Father, Son, Brother, Uncle, Mother, Wife, Children.

Starting at chapter 29, both Leah and Rachael had tears, the tears of a broken heart.

Sub-headings of the Jacob, Rachael and Leah Story.

• Arrival in Haran.
• Marriage to Leah and Rachel.
• Jacob’s Children.
• Jacob Outwits Laban.
• Flight from Laban.
• Jacob and Laban in Gilead.
• Envoys to Esau.
• Jacob’s New Name.
• Jacob and Esau Meet.
• The Rape of Dinah.
• Revenge of Jacob’s Sons.
• Bethel Revisited.
• Jacob’s Family.

We will only make true progress in preserving life when we confront our own hard heartedness in love and the lack of love. Current attempts on the question look more like advantage and alliance.

That is MY reflection.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry