Horrific Tragedy

28 Dec

“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.” (Matthew 2:18)

When I was young, nothing was more horrifying to me than the Gospel story of the slaughter of the Holy Innocents. What wickedness could so fill the heart of a person as to believe that killing a vast number of babies just to ensure that he killed the right one was the best option open to him. It was utter nonsense to me and, to be honest, the first time I heard it, I had nightmares that night.

It is beyond horrifying yet it is something that happens on smaller or larger scales even up to today. The value of a person’s life is vastly different depending with whom you speak. Some people would cherish and protect all life at all times. Others? They find reasons to terminate the lives of others easily.

The Supreme Court has recently overturned Roe v Wade and one would think that the lives of the unborn are now safe. That would be the wrong assumption. There are many people who are doing their best to find other ways to guarantee and even legally enshrine the right to terminate a pregnancy at any time for any reason.

The plight of the Holy Innocents will happen over and over again until all people come to believe that all life is sacred and should be cherished and protected. Until that time, Rachel’s cry will find voice to many who will lament the loss of their own.

On this Christmas octave day, let us think about the baby that came to us as one of us to set us free from the clutches of sin and death and evil. Reject sin and evil as well as all who embrace it.

FAITH ACTION: Pray for all who are slaughtered in acts of genocide as well as for those who grieve their loss.