Tuesday, December 28, 2021

 Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

(I John 1:5-2:2; Matthew 2:13-18)

The persecution of Jesus and death of the innocents form a necessary part of the gospel.  Certainly, the gospel proclaims “glad tidings.”  But the benefits come at a price to Jesus and those who surround him.  It never pretends to be mere “happy talk.”

Herod, enraged with jealousy, pursues the newborn “king of the Jews.”  Under Joseph’s protection Jesus escapes Herod’s wiles.  The infants around Bethlehem at the time will be slaughtered in his stead. Thirty years hence, however, Jesus will be harassed by other Jewish rulers.  They will succeed in having him killed.  In the end, however, Jesus overturns their schemes as well.  He rises from the dead to show his divine origin.

Like the innocents, we will suffer.  Perhaps suffering is the lot of every human.  But followers of Jesus will be persecuted as much for doing what is right as for doing what is wrong.  Nevertheless, we must follow him to the end.  Then, as surely as Jesus rose from the dead, we will find ourselves in glory.

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