“SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”
Daily Spiritual Reflections
28th December 2021
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TUESDAY, FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS
1 Jn 1: 5 - 2: 2; Ps 124: 2-5,7-8; Mt 2: 13-18
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HOLY INNOCENTS: THEN AND NOW
In considering the history of the Jews as a people, their eager waiting for the Messiah always demands a mention. But, contrary to the normal expectation, when the birth of the Messiah is proclaimed, all Jerusalem appears troubled along with the king. Herod desired to cling on a bit longer to the throne. They took offence at Jesus even when he was an infant as they were to do when he would be an adult (Mt 13:57).
The Gospel today reminds us of a similar incident from the book of Exodus (cf. Ex 1:22). The birth of great people demands great sacrifice; not only from their parents and family, but at times, also from society, as in the examples of Jesus and Moses. Rightly does the psalmist exclaim today: ‘the Lord is our help.’ These two infants, who were to change the course of history, were at peril; God’s timely intervention saved not just their lives, but also the future of the Hebrews in the case of Moses and of the whole of humanity in Jesus’ case.
Even in our own lives, to achieve something worthwhile, great sacrifices are necessary. A concrete example that fits today’s feast of Holy Innocents, would be to juxtapose giving birth to a child, with all its future responsibilities, with the option of aborting the life within. The latter option is easy, but the first is worthwhile. The easy choice has been made easier, with all the present pro-abortion arguments of gender equality and a woman’s complete right over her body.
In closing our eyes to God’s light, and our ears to the teachings of the Church, we deceive ourselves. Let us accept that all of us have our own weaknesses and tendencies to sin, but at God’s right hand we have Jesus, who is our advocate. Let us place our trust, and hope in him and the mercy he showed at the cross! Let us specially pray today for the people involved in abortions and the souls of those voiceless infants!
Response: Our life, like a bird, has escaped from the snare of the fowler.
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