The Holy Innocents

Another Feast, near the Nativity and connected to it, is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs, December 28. 

     The Feast dates back to about the fifth century. Herod believed the words of the Magi and those of his high priests whom he consulted. He saw a rival to his throne in the Infant of Bethlehem when the Magi asked, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews?"  The hymn for Vespers on Epiphany sings "O cruel Herod, why thus fear, The King and God who comes below? No earthly crown comes He to take, who heavenly kingdoms doth bestow."  Herod, jealous and fearful, took no chances.  He sent his minions to kill every boy child in Bethlehem, two years of age and under. An angel warned Joseph, who took Mary and the Child Jesus out of Bethlehem and into Egypt, fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah, "Out of Egypt have I called My Son," (today's Gospel, Matthew 2: 13-16), and that out of Bethlehem would be heard lamentations of mothers mourning for their children. The prophet, Jeremiah recalls Rachel, whose lamentations are heard in Rama, bewailing her children because they are not. He made the prophecy at the time of the capture of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans. The Jews were being sent to Babylon and were assembled at Rama, a few miles from Jerusalem. Jeremias supposes that Rachel, mother of Benjamin (Rama was situated in his territory),comes from her tomb near Bethlehem, and weeps over those who are her descendants. So did the mothers of these Holy Innocents weep.

     St. Augustine gives comfort, presenting the mercy and love of God, "The holy solemnity of this day manifests that for as much as wickedness was heaped against these blessed children, so much more were heavenly graces and benedictions showered upon them. In giving them birth into everlasting life, the world bestowed a greater joy than had their mothers in giving them birth upon earth: they have been found worthy of a life without end, almost before they have used their present life."  St. John, in the Apocalypse, saw these children among the elect, these virginal souls, who have been specially redeemed. 'These are the virginal souls who have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. Among these are the Holy Innocents upon whose lips was found no trace of deceit, they are virgins, killed for the Word of God, they have rendered witness of Him' "
     And what of the Holy Innocents of today? There are many Herods who make human sacrifice on the altar of the Devil, slaying in the womb millions more babies than that ancient Herod did. Their mothers may or may not lament "because they are not."  Abortion is a sin that cries out to Heaven for vengeance, and "Vengeance is Mine, saith the Lord."  with Rachel, lament, and pray for an end to the scourge of abortion.

12/28/11