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Saturday 28 December 2024- The Holy Innocents
Mass Readings: 1Jn 1:5-2:2 Ps 124 Mt 2:13-18
Key Verse to Meditate: Then Joseph
got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, (Mt 2:14).
The Slaughter of the Infants of Bethlehem: Today’s Gospel
passage recounts the tragic massacre of the innocent children by Herod after he
discovered that the Magi had not returned to him as he had instructed. We’re in
fact celebrating today the mass murder of all the boys in Bethlehem under two. Like
Pharaoh in the Old Testament, who sought to kill Moses (Ex 2:15; 1:22), Herod
reacted with ruthless violence to the perceived threat to his power, determined
to destroy the Christ Child. In this moment of crisis, the angel of the Lord
appeared once again to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take the child and
His mother and flee to Egypt, for Herod was seeking to kill the child. The
angel appears both at the beginning and the end of this narrative (vv. 13, 19),
framing the events with divine guidance and protection.
Jesus the Infant
Even in infancy, Jesus faced mortal threats. Like Moses, He fled to
Egypt for safety. Throughout the Old Testament, Egypt served as a refuge for
Jews in times of peril (e.g., Jeroboam in 1 Kgs 11:40; the people of Judah in 2
Kgs 25:26; Jer 43:1–7). Similarly, the Holy Family became refugees in a foreign
land, fulfilling the Scriptures: "The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His
head" (Mt 8:20).
Joseph’s journey to Egypt also fulfils Hosea’s prophecy: "When
Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son" (Hos
11:1). The title “Son of God” resonates profoundly in this context. Scripture
often refers to the kings of Israel as “sons of God” (e.g., 2 Sam 7:14; Ps
2:7). As the Messiah and the embodiment of obedient Israel, Jesus is rightly
called the “Son of God” (Ex 4:22–23).
The Innocent Children Shed Their
Blood for Christ
St. Augustine reminds us that the Holy Innocents gave their lives
for Jesus. The Collect of the Mass declares that these innocent children bore
witness to Christ not through words but by their sacrifice. These baby boys,
though unable to speak, experienced the fullness and purpose of human life by
dying for Jesus, who would ultimately die for them—and for all of us. The
massacre of the Holy Innocents is a heartbreaking reminder of the suffering
endured by the innocent. These first martyrs for Christ, though their earthly
lives were tragically cut short, were received by God into eternal peace, away
from the violence of the world.
Herod’s Fear
Herod’s cruelty was rooted in fear-fear of losing power, of being
overthrown, and of betrayal. As the historian Josephus remarks, Herod's
paranoia drove him to commit unspeakable acts, including the murder of his own
sons and one of his wives. His desperation to secure his throne led to the
horrific decree to kill all male children under two years old in Bethlehem (Mt
2:16). Herod’s heinous actions fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecy: "A voice was
heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they were no more" (Jer 31:15; Mt
2:17–18).
Fear can also take root in our lives, leading to anxiety, anger,
and destructive behaviours. Whether it is the fear of rejection, failure, or
betrayal, unchecked fear can consume our hearts and drive us away from God’s
peace. However, Christ came to free us from fear and make us courageous
children of God. Fear enslaves, but Jesus brings redemption and peace. As we
celebrate the birth of our Savior, may we allow His grace to break every chain
of fear in our lives and fill us with His joy and love. Let us be inspired by
the courage and faith of Joseph, and by the innocent sacrifice of the Holy
Innocents, to trust fully in God's plan and live as His fearless, loving
children.
The Holy Family demonstrates unwavering trust as they wait on the
Lord for direction and guidance. Once again, God’s word comes to Joseph in a
dream, warning him to flee to Egypt with Mary and the child Jesus because Herod
seeks to kill the infant: "Arise and take the Child and His mother, and
flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search
for the Child to destroy Him" (Mt 2:13).
God’s plan unfolds in mysterious ways, often amidst challenging
circumstances. Instead of dwelling on why Herod, the wicked king, sought to
destroy Jesus, the Holy Family simply obeys God’s command. They begin to
understand that being chosen by God for His divine plan often involves
embracing pain and suffering as part of the salvific mission. Like Abraham,
Joseph responds in faithful obedience, leaving in the middle of the night to
follow the Lord’s command (Mt 2:14; cf. Gen 12:4).
The Journey to Egypt
Egypt becomes the focal point of this episode (Mt 2:13–15). Joseph,
the silent yet faithful believer, emerges as the central human figure. He
receives God’s revelation, obeys it fully, and protects Mary and the Child with
unwavering trust. Rising in the night, Joseph takes the Child and His mother,
fleeing into the unknown to fulfill God's command precisely (cf. Mt 1:24).
This nocturnal journey to Egypt was fraught with danger and
uncertainty, yet Joseph exemplifies unshakable faith and obedience. As
protector of the Holy Family, he trusts in God’s mysterious plan, even amid
great peril.
May the example of the Holy Family inspire us to trust in God’s
providence and guidance, even in the face of trials and uncertainty. Let us
seek to obey the Lord’s will with faith and courage, trusting that His plans
for us are always for our good.
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