Reflections on Scripture | Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Matthew 2:13-18

When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
"Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him."
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.

Reflection

The shadow of anyone in a position of authority is to be able to make decisions that disregard the dignity of each individual. Every institution is prone to this, and what I see in this story is a way in which when there is power like that over people, there's an innocence that is destroyed, a kind of openness to life and a longing to be affirmed in this life is taken away from people.

It's the shadow of all institutions, and we have to work to make sure it doesn't happen in each of our lives.

Closing Prayer

Father, awakened us to the danger of power. It has to be connected deeply to your presence within us, that it will only, only offer life and goodness and power to people and never robbing them of their rights. And their value and their dignity. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross