Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
Today’s Gospel tells the story of what happened after the Magi visited Jesus. Prior to that, these wise men were following a star and inquired with King Herod where they could find the newborn King of the Jews. King Herod felt threatened and, as we read, responded by killing boys who were two years old and younger in Bethlehem and the surrounding area. His efforts didn’t work, in a dream, Joseph was warned and told to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus.
This Gospel passage has many witnesses of faith. There are the Magi who allowed themselves to be guided to Jesus. Joseph is also an example of faith through his openness to listening to God and responding to what God wants him to do.
However, the children who Herod killed, the Holy Innocents, were not exactly witnesses of faith since they neither met Jesus nor knew of him. Nonetheless, since the early centuries, the Church has celebrated their feast day. Unlike most martyrs who die for their faith, these boys died in place of Christ for the same reason Jesus was killed decades later—to extinguish the hope that the world can change.
What does this feast mean for us today? Do we hope that the world can change for the better? This Gospel reminds me of the current wars and conflicts in the Middle East where many innocent people are killed. During this time when we welcome the Prince of Peace into our lives, let us also pray for peace within ourselves, in our communities, and around the world. Let us hope for a future Jesus envisioned where the Reign of God is present on earth.
—Sr. Emily Sandoval, FMI