In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 2, we read:
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.
The Holy Innocents are referred to by the Church as martyrs. We normally think of martyrs as those who died willingly for their faith, refusing to renounce Christ. But these innocent babies could not make that choice. Much like the innocent babies in the womb today. Let us today honor the Holy Innocents of Jesus' time, and of today.
Father, accept the souls of the Holy Innocents into your loving kingdom. Open the hearts and minds of those who perpetrate such atrocities to the beauty of every human person. Amen.
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