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 are always searching. Discovering. Growing. Moving about.
In our readings today we are confronted with the duality of humankind.
In the first reading the Apostle John imagines a person coming to grips with the problem. We seek light, which is to say the illumination of who we are really. We realize the light is from G-d and confusion is darkness. We should think of light as a connectiveness between – light is the right relation (righteousness). It is your light that makes me see you. It is my light that makes you see me. In G-d we can see most clearly.
God is light, which is truth, and there is no confusion or duplicity. Fellowship with the light does not include duplicity. Duplicity is a lie. Claiming ‘right’ that is without sin is duplicity. Our duality is the struggle. If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. We want to be right. We want to be true. Yet we want it on our terms.
My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin.
In the gospel portion today we see the duality in the most severe form. Herod wants to be ‘right’. He wants to enforce his right upon the world and he’ll kill whomever he needs to do in order to establish his truth. In the short term he wins. Nobody, knowing what he just did, would dare challenge his ‘right’. But truth always wins out. Jesus is saved by the message of an angel to Joseph and they flee to Egypt until Herod the Great is dead. Herod dies, Jesus returns.
Summary
It is impossible to ignore the ‘right’ of power. During the period of Global Colonization the phrase was ‘The Right of Conquest‘. I win, you lose, the matter is settled.
Reflection
In an honest reflection of the conscience one can easily see the duality of our thoughts and actions. When we shed light on our own life we can begin to see the wisdom of humility. The question today is, ‘What are we searching for?’ For Herod it was to root out anyone who would challenge his opinion. What are you searching for? Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their way, and sinners their thoughts; Let them turn to the LORD to find mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving (ISA 55:6-7).
Personal Reflection
In our age the duality battle for me and for many is the challenge of choosing between a Reflex Response and Reflective Response. When I consider truth as the ultimate canon, the reflex instinct has very little value. My reflective response endures in truth. I hate Red Light Cameras. When they first rolled out there was an increase in auto accidents at intersections that had the cameras. But over time, it became clear the Red Light Camera is nothing more than truth. Either I will obey traffic law or I won’t. And the camera doesn’t lie. I am relieved of having to argue, fuss, complain, engage in self-justification, employ self-rationalization and the list goes on. Either do or don’t do. I don’t need to seek and destroy.
Footnote: rationalization is an excuse, something that you say and/or do to protect yourself from emotional harm. Justification is a legal, medical or moral reason for your actions and/or behavior. Source: Rationalization v Justificaiton
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
Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Gospel Acclamation
We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the white robed army of martyrs praise you.
Gospel
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him. When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:
A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
💯