It is 28th December 2016. We celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents, the Martyrs. The entrance antiphon of the Eucharist hails, “The innocents were slaughtered as infant for Christ; spotless, they follow the Lamb and sing forever: Glory to you, O Lord.” The readings are from 1 John 1:5-2:2; and the Gospel from Matthew 2:13-18. We remember the children of the time of Jesus as well the children of today who go through inhuman acts against their humanity. On this feast too, we think of the many martyrs who stood for truth and love. It is the memory of the male children murdered by the king Herod who wished to kill the infant Christ. These innocent little ones bear witness to Christ for all those who are helpless in the world. We too have a Herod within each one of us. We would like to consider everyone as the opponent who we perceive as the threat to our positions and status quo. In the first reading, St. John invites us to live as children of the light who do the right things no matter what is the conditions of life they are in. We need to identify and uproot the darkness and sin in us and around us by shedding light of Christ and by sowing the values of the Kingdom of God. Every tiny effort to spread the light of Christ is significant for Christ. The responsorial Psalm prays, “Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.” (Ps.124:7). The Gospel recounts the massacre of all boys in Bethlehem. The Holy Innocents who gave their lives in place of Christ reminding us that the presence and power of evil minds and way of thinking against the innocents just to secure their places of power, prestige and positions still out there. We too are invited today to protect the innocent because of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and willing to go through any inconvenience for Christ. May you have a good day.