The Death Of The Innocents

28 Dec

“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”  ~ Mt 2:16–18

On this Tuesday of the Octave of Christmas, the times are not so good.  The Christmas cheer is not being felt.  Love definitely doesn’t appear to be in the air.  Instead, the Feast of the Holy Innocents reminds us of the blood that was spilled as a ruler attempted to locate the newborn King of the Jews in order to end His life.

When the Magi did not return to Herod to let him know where Jesus was located, Herod ordered the slaughter of all male children two years old and under in an attempt to end Jesus’ life.  Jesus was not there for the slaughter, however.  An angel had appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him of the attempt that would be made and instructed him to take Mary and the child, Jesus, and flee to Egypt so as to avoid the long arm of Herod.  There in Egypt the Holy Family remained, until after the death of Herod and the all-clear from the angel to return to their own lands.

We know that people are slaughtered still to this day in acts of violence against life.  Poverty, war, genocide, infanticide, and a whole host of other social ills claim the lives of innocent people on a regular basis.  We often become blunted to these things and look elsewhere when we see these atrocities happen.  We make excuses for them and even try to normalize them.  How can taking a life ever be considered normal?  Even more, how can wholesale killing be normal?

We need to turn our attention to things that can improve the lives of others so that these things are not resorted to being used.  Sometimes people feel that they have no choice but to engage in actions against others.  If we can provide for others, teach others how to care for all, help others receive the aid that they need and the like, perhaps we can ward off some of the offenses against life.

Life is sacred.  Wholesale massacre can never be considered good or normal.  Hear the weeping and great mourning of a people and do what can is necessary to change the lives of others so that these atrocities never happen again.

FAITH ACTION:  Pray for all those whose lives are terminated in acts that oppose the sanctity of life.