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.
