hidden martyrs

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today commemorate the Holy Innocents who were the children killed by Herod in the vicinity of Bethlehem in an attempt to kill Jesus after hearing of His birth from the Magi. These children are considered martyrs because they died in place of Jesus even though they would not have known Him. The Letter of John reminds us of the Divine nature of being without sin. This is contrasted with human nature which often acts out of personal desire and passion to be slaves of sinfulness. The mission of Jesus is the reconciliation of sinful humanity with God so that we might walk in His Light and be in communion with Him. Our faith and experience testify that this invitation to holiness comes to us through Jesus death, while we were still sinners. ( Romans 5.8). The Innocent continue to die in our world and the praises of the psalmist for God, Who will be the rescuer of the poor and those cast aside provides consolation. The wailing of the Israelites as they were led into exile is captured by Matthew in the Gospel account of the slaughter of the Innocents as being repeated as a consequence of the action of Herod. The removal of a generation from the cycle of life by war, genocide, slaughter, abortion and abandonment stands as the continued destruction of God’s beloved through human will. The depth of despair which accompanies the death of hope is too often known by the parents of these Innocents today. Our trust that God weeps with us and that Life continues in communion with Him makes it possible to continue our journey. The forgiveness and mercy which is God also invites the reconciliation of those who commit atrocity to communion with Him and His Body.