‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’
Reflections on the readings for the Feast of the Holy Innocents (December 28, 2021):1 JN 1-2:2; PS 124:2-3,4-5,7-8; MT 2:13-18
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
None of those beautiful Holy Innocents of Bethlehem chose to be martyrs. Yet they were. They endured this suffering because of the evil that came into the world...
It is painful beyond comprehension to contemplate the pointless suffering of those who are innocent. It is terrible enough when it happens through an accident of some kind. But when little children who have done nothing to incur the ire of others, are brutally killed the very idea is unbearable. This is especially so, of course, for their loved ones. None of those beautiful Holy Innocents of Bethlehem chose to be martyrs. Yet they were. They endured this suffering because of the evil that came into the world through sin, demonstrated in all its ugliness by the vicious King Herod.
Almighty God gave us, His beloved people, reason and free will. And so we make choices that affect the world in large ways and small. So Herod and Pontius Pilate and Judas made their decisions. And we do as well. Our Eternal Father rescued the Holy Family to continue His Divine plan for the redemption of all His people, of all nations and all generations: “When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.’ Joseph rose and took the Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt” (Matthew 2:13-15). Yet the Holy Innocents and their parents, loved ones, and community suffered. It is the same today. Our lives and our decisions matter to a few or to many. We always have a personal responsibility to take other people into account. Let us be willing to stand up for others who are in trouble. Let us choose to help others out of love for God. Let us choose to live in justice and in mercy.
Suggested missionary action: In memory of the Holy Innocents, we can make an effort to do all we can to assist families with children in need. We can also do all we can to help women who are considering the abortion of a baby by offering both material and spiritual support.
