December 28th - Reflection

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Matthew 2:13-18 (NRSV)
Death of innocent children
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son."

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

"A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more."

Reflection
Herod had a pretty good shot at getting Jesus here. There were probably only twenty or so children two years or under in the area at the time. This makes the angels warning even more significant. This number is much smaller than I had always imagined, but it doesn't take away the significance of the pain that families felt. In fact, it seems to make the entire event so much more personal. To be singled out, rather easily, because your children were young.

The death of a child is a significant event. One that can never be lived down. I have witnessed the loss it brings to the lives of parents and my empathy is far from the reality of living through the event itself.

Power is evil when we go to lengths of killing babies. But even against such evil and the death of innocent babies, Jesus life lay ahead. I wonder if at the death of each baby, their spiritual eyes were opened to a Savior. If beyond time each one of these innocents, including the innocents today, see Jesus face and their place in salvation's story. I wonder if they see how lives cut short, play in the role of saving all people. If only we could see the story from another side, would it bring comfort?

I can't imagine any comfort for the present. But maybe in eternity there is an eye opening moment of understanding. I can't imagine any answers here that would suffice any parent. I can only see a Savior in the making with the awesome help of some innocent children.

Prayer
Lord, there is so much beyond my understanding. Be with all parents that suffer the death of a child, comfort them and give them hope... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen