HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS (MARTYR)

Homily for the Feast of the Holy Innocents (Martyrs)

1 John 1:5; 2:2; Matt 2:13-18

Dearest Friends in Christ, today, being the fourth day of the Octave of Christmas, we celebrate the feast of the martyrdom of the Holy Innocents, a similar witness to the one we received on December 26, the Feast of the Martyrdom of Saint Stephen. 

Here, out of envy and hatred, Herod had countless innocent children killed in an attempt to eliminate Jesus, the newborn King. 

The evangelist Matthew composes the story parallels that of Moses, thus, establishing the role of Jesus as the new leader, the one who is to guide God’s people into freedom and salvation. 

Imagine the grief that filled the town of Bethlehem and its vicinity as the soldiers went through killing those innocent children. Imagine the pains and the feelings of the parents watching their children been helplessly killed. 

On the one hand, it is shocking to know that God permitted this. But on the other hand, on a level of deep faith, we are to understand the witness that these innocent children gave. Though this was an unspeakable crime and evil, from the perspective of eternity, God will sort it out. 

In Heaven, and forevermore, these innocent victims wear the martyr’s crown and are honored by the angels and saints as the first witnesses to the newborn King. 

Truth be told, their witness reveals to us much about our own lives, that there are many times in life when things are simply not fair and not just. The massacre of these innocent children is a powerful reminder of this fact. What is it for you the most painful in this Christmas? Whatever it may be, you are invited to unite your hurt and pain today with the sorrow of the families who lost these little ones. 

Jesus, your birth into our world was the greatest sign that you are our Savior and that you can turn all things into good. We entrust our lives to you knowing that you will right every wrong, Amen. 

Merry  Christmas to you all