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Scripture
Matthew 2:13-16 After they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said, “Herod will be looking for the child in order to kill him. So get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you to leave.” Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and left during the night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod died. This was done to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophet, “I called my Son out of Egypt.” When Herod realised that the visitors from the East had tricked him, he was furious. He gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its neighbourhood who were two years old and younger—this was done in accordance with what he had learned from the visitors about the time when the star had appeared. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Reflection The Feast of the Holy Innocents is celebrated soon after Christmas Day. The holy Innocents are innocent victims of King Herod’s lust for power, cruelty, and desire to kill the Child Jesus. They are innocent victims of the same cruelty which nailed Jesus to a Cross. We think about the children today who are innocent victims including children whose families are forced to live in poverty or forced to flee their homes. As people of Faith we are carriers of hope and joy. We believe the promise of ‘Emmanuel’ - God- with -us - in sorrows and in celebrations. The infant Jesus, born on that Holy Night when the Heavenly Choir of angels sang, is the Light of the World and conquers its darkness and sorrow. We find well-springs of hope among all those who live lives of selflessness, generosity, kindness and compassion in their families and communities. They are God’s Kingdom builders. Today we have an opportunity to thank God for his extravagant love; the reason for our hope. It is also a time to ask God to help us work to create the kind of world he intended; a compassionate, just, merciful and non-violent world. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, on this Feast of The Holy Innocents, we remember You embraced and placed Your hands upon the little children who came to You, and said: "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" Look now with fatherly eyes on the innocence of children and their parents' devotion. Bless them this day. In Your grace and goodness let them grow in faith, longing for You, loving You and keeping Your commandments. We ask you to help all of us make your Kingdom come in this world and make our homes, parishes and communities places of compassion and kindness, where no one is victimised. Amen. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Music On this feast of the Holy Innocents we listen to the Christmas Lullaby by John Rutter. |
