The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the care and concern we have for children who are the hope for our future.
The reading from the First Letter of John declares God Is Light and Christ is Our Advocate.
* [1:5–7] Light is to be understood here as truth and goodness; darkness here is error and depravity (cf. Jn 3:19–21; 17:17; Eph 5:8). To walk in light or darkness is to live according to truth or error, not merely intellectual but moral as well. Fellowship with God and with one another consists in a life according to the truth as found in God and in Christ.
* [1:8–10] Denial of the condition of sin is self-deception and even contradictory of divine revelation; there is also the continual possibility of sin’s recurrence. Forgiveness and deliverance from sin through Christ are assured through acknowledgment of them and repentance.
* [2:1] Children: like the term “beloved,” this is an expression of pastoral love (cf. Jn 13:33; 21:5; 1 Cor 4:14). Advocate: for the use of the term, see Jn 14:16. Forgiveness of sin is assured through Christ’s intercession and expiation or “offering”; the death of Christ effected the removal of sin. (1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 124 offers Thanksgiving for Israel’s Deliverance.
* [Psalm 124] A thanksgiving which teaches that Israel’s very existence is owed to God who rescues them. In the first part Israel’s enemies are compared to the mythic sea dragon (Ps 124:2b–3a; cf. Jer 51:34) and Flood (Ps 124:3b–5; cf. Is 51:9–10). The Psalm heightens the malice of human enemies by linking them to the primordial enemies of God’s creation. Israel is a bird freed from the trapper’s snare (Ps 124:6–8)—freed originally from Pharaoh and now from the current danger. (Psalms, PSALM 124 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew relates the Escape to Egypt and the Massacre of the Infants.
* [2:13] Flee to Egypt: Egypt was a traditional place of refuge for those fleeing from danger in Palestine (see 1 Kgs 11:40; Jer 26:21), but the main reason why the child is to be taken to Egypt is that he may relive the Exodus experience of Israel.
* [2:15] The fulfillment citation is taken from Hos 11:1. Israel, God’s son, was called out of Egypt at the time of the Exodus; Jesus, the Son of God, will similarly be called out of that land in a new exodus. The father-son relationship between God and the nation is set in a higher key. Here the son is not a group adopted as “son of God,” but the child who, as conceived by the holy Spirit, stands in unique relation to God. He is son of David and of Abraham, of Mary and of Joseph, but, above all, of God.
* [2:18] Jer 31:15 portrays Rachel, wife of the patriarch Jacob, weeping for her children taken into exile at the time of the Assyrian invasion of the northern kingdom (722–21 B.C.). Bethlehem was traditionally identified with Ephrath, the place near which Rachel was buried (see Gn 35:19; 48:7), and the mourning of Rachel is here applied to her lost children of a later age. Ramah: about six miles north of Jerusalem. The lamentation of Rachel is so great as to be heard at a far distance. (Matthew, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Angela Maynard comments that in this situation the powerful king is the one calling for the murder of all baby boys. How do simple people like Mary and Joseph protect their beloved baby boy? Sadly, this is an experience of many around the globe today. Children of all genders are at risk of all sorts of dangers. What can we do to offer protection to our children?
Let us ask the Holy Innocents and deceased children for their intercession for our own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and for all children who are growing up in this wicked world of ours. Let us pray for those who hate, those who experience violence, and parents who have lost children Let us pray for those who feel helpless. The youngest among us need all the grace and assistance they can get to retain and grow in the faith. Let us lend them a helping hand and invite the deceased children to lend a hand, as well. (Maynard, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The first martyrs of Christ,” by Chromatius (died 406 AD).
"In Bethlehem therefore all the babies were slain. These innocents who died then on Christ's behalf became the first martyrs of Christ. David refers to them when he says, 'From the mouths of nursing babies you have perfected praise because of your enemies, that you might bring ruin to the enemy' (Psalm 8:2). ... For in this persecution even tiny infants and nursing babies were killed on Christ's behalf and attained to the consummate praise of martyrs. Meanwhile the wicked king Herod was destroyed, he who had usurped the realm to defend himself against the king of the heavens. Thus it is that those blessed babes have deservedly lasted beyond others. They were the first who were worthy to die on Christ's behalf."(excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 6.2) [Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."] (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 2:13-18 comments that as horrifying as this Gospel story is, however, the sad truth is that children have been victimized throughout history—and they’re still being victimized today.
On this feast day, try to spend some extra time interceding for these children. As you do, perhaps the Lord will inspire you to do something for one of them. You could, for example, volunteer to tutor a young child in a low-income school. You could give financial or emotional support to a pregnant woman in difficult circumstances or a single mom who needs an extra hand. Maybe your parish needs volunteers to teach children about the love of God. Or you might consider donating to charitable organizations that care for the needs of children and their families.
Jesus said, “Whoever receives one child . . . receives me” (Mark 9:37). On this feast day, as we gaze at the divine baby in the manger, let’s pray for hearts that are open to receiving Jesus in the “holy innocents” around us.
“Jesus, give me a generous heart open to helping a child in need.” (Meditation on Matthew 2:13-18, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses how the passage from 1 John points out the errors in Gnostic belief about Jesus as only a spiritual being. The Gospel of Matthew connects Joseph to this Hebrew namesake as one who is guided by God through his dreams. Friar Jude reminds us that the few dozen children murdered in Bethlehem were the first martyrs for the Gospel.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces spiritual companion and writer Leslye Colvin who suggests how we can continue to carry the gift of incarnation beyond the Christmas Season. Colvin asks how do we love and nurture the Christ? This question may be more challenging if we pack away the joy of this season with holiday decorations, or if we discard the awe of the Incarnation with the dried-out Christmas tree.
If we truly desire to celebrate the Incarnation let us consider paths leading us to seek Emmanuel, God is with us, as a way of life. We need not confine our attention to Christmas Day or the Christmas Season. The Christ light is always lit. We are sure to see it as we live the Beatitudes, and encounter our siblings on the margins. When we do, we may be surprised to recognize that all along it was the light of Christ guiding us there. (Rohr, n.d.)
We express our gratitude for the children in our lives who call us to simple love, trust, and joy as we advocate for the best world in which they can grow.
References
Matthew, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/2?13
Maynard, A. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved December 28, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/122824.html
Meditation on Matthew 2:13-18. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 28, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/28/1167110/
1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/2
Psalms, PSALM 124 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/124?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Holy Incarnation: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 28, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/holy-incarnation-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 28, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec28
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