His Word Today: the Holy Innocents

The Holy Innocents (1898)
Oil on canvas by William Charles Thomas Dobson

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Innocents.  Who, you may ask, were these holy people.  To find the answer, we need to look at today's gospel passage (Mt 2:13-18) and some other references to the appearance of the Magi.  After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?' (Lk 2:1-2).  When Herod heard about this, he was afraid because he thought that his position was being threatened.  Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.'  (Lk 2:7-8).  In reality, Herod had no intention of worshipping this new King.  Rather, he felt threatened and wanted to get rid of him.

After the Magi had found the child, visited with him and presented their gifts, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they left for their own country by another road (Lk 2:12).  The angel of the Lord then appeared to Joseph (for the second time) in a dream and instructed him:   'Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you' (Lk 2:13).  Meanwhile, when Herod realized that the Magi were not coming back to report about the newborn king, he became furious.  He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under (Lk 2:16).  These unknown children are known as the Holy Innocents.  The Church celebrates their heroic sacrifice as a reminder to all of us that Jesus was born into dangerous times, but I wonder whether times have really changed.

Herod was a very powerful man who would stop at nothing to ensure that his will was accomplished, including the slaughter of countess innocent children.  In our day, how many children find themselves in situations beyond their own control and all because someone else seeks to exercise power and control over them.  This includes those whose lives are taken away through abortion, child slaves, workers, soldiers, even those who find themselves caught between fighting parents or used as pawns in so many different ways.  It also includes the elderly and the frail who are cast aside and forgotten by society.  This Christmas season, let us do what we can to change the way we see these holy innocents of our time.  Let us thank God for the example of their lives and ask him to inspire us to do what we can to help them.

Have a great day.