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
Summary
No reflection that focuses on mistakes should start without the promise of redemption. We face our errors with courage because we are encouraged to be in right relation with the Lord.
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.
Franciscan Media 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 (https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/holy-innocents/).
Reflection
The Feasts of the Holy Innocents and the Feast of the Holy Family this year are side-by-side in our liturgy. It is as deep of a contrast and comparison there can be. The lust of power overwhelms the families of the vicinity of Bethlehem.
- Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.
- He [Herod] ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under.
- Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod.
This wasn’t the first time. Moses was also forced into exile until the Pharaoh who sought to kill him was dead. And again, during the actual exile event of the Assyrian occupation, 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.
The fate of children at the bent of an aggressive person. But not just person, professions, industries and marketing. This is true of nations with territorial ambitions. Who cannot tremble at the prospect of World War III as Europe is living in the shadow of Russian ambitions.
All worldly affairs under their control ordered to their own benefit and enrichment of material wealth at the expense and at the cost of the lives of children, the holy innocent ones.
Personal Reflection
When I serve at the altar for Mass at the Chapel of the Holy Innocents, I pray for conversion of souls. For women courage and encouragement to face the future, for the babies an end to exile, for the practitioners an awakening to the truth and for the repentance of those who gain materially from the profit they seek.
Medical health and well-being cannot be fruitful with lies and misdirection. It must be founded on truth, even when the outcome is not what I prefer. It is the same for all those who aggressively seek their alliance, advantage and accumulation.
This day of holiness, let us weep with Rachel, and at the same time hold fast to the promise given by Jeremiah.
Thus says the LORD: Cease your cries of weeping, hold back your tears! There is compensation for your labor— oracle of the LORD—they shall return from the enemy’s land. There is hope for your future—oracle of the LORD— your children shall return to their own territory.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122824.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry