May the Lord give you peace and grace in the Holy Spirit.
It is 28th December 2021. We celebrate the Holy Innocents, martyrs. We are invited to keep all the children in our prayers so that they can live in a family and community free of abuse and annihilation of children.
We reflect on 1 John 1:5 – 2:2 and Matthew 2:13-18.
A mother who lost her beautiful child recently after her two days old for the neglect of some people asked me a few questions such as: why did God take my child? Is God punishing my child for the sins I committed in the past? “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.”
There were many innocent male children who were murdered as the king intended to kill. The Benedictus antiphon intones the painful sentiments of the Innocent martyrs: “The Innocent children were put to death in the place of Christ; the infants were murdered by the evil king: they follow the sinless Lamb and sing his praises, saying: Glory to you, O Lord.” How can a tiny baby be a threat to a king? We too are afraid like him about the child and all that child could be in the future. Are we a modern Herod to our innocent children? For upholding discipline, family pride, education, career, future, there are many children who are silenced, denied, ignored, strangled in our families by parents, closer relatives, friends, and caregivers. Let us not sacrifice any child in our family or community for anything or any reason.
Let us NOT prune the sapling just because we have the power to handle the trimming scissors in our hands.
“If we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.” (1Jn.1:7). May God give the courage to love all children equally and lovingly without a tint of abuse. God bless you.