HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS (1)
HOMILY FOR THURSDAY, FOURTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS. FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS
HOMILY THEME: THE HOLY INNOCENTS
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
(Mt. 2:13-18)
In the day’s Gospel, Feast of the Holy Innocents, the angel warned Joseph about the plan of Herod to destroy their child. They were able to elude Herod. Deceived by the magi, Herod decided to massacre children under two years old. The Gospel writer Matthew noted that it was the fulfilment of the prophecy of the prophet Jeremiah.
Three days into the season of Christmas and here we remember the death not only of a child but so many. In a way, they died for the child Jesus. Thus, even before Jesus died for them, they already died for Him. Those children were martyrs.
Again, God’s plan prevails. Jesus had to be born and grow to serve His mission. In the process, some, like those children, had to die. It was not what God wants. It was Herod’s choice and the children’s fate. God cannot intervene in respect for the freedom He had given to us. God can write straight on crooked lines.
Unfortunately, many children still die today. They die not anymore for the Lord but for their parents and those involved in their murders (during abortion and contraception). Children need not commit martyrdom. By themselves they are holy and blameless in God’s sight. Their death, willed by their parents, hopefully will generate graces and indulgences for their parents.
