Our Gospel focus changes today from the infancy narrative of St. Luke's Gospel to the infancy narrative of St. Matthew's Gospel as we keep the memory of the babies of Bethlehem who were slaughtered by King Herod which the Church calls “the Holy Innocents.”
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi (Matthew 2:16).
This event precipitated the flight of Joseph and Mary with the child to Egypt. You may remember that St. Matthew's Gospel makes an effort to portray Jesus as the "new Moses." So like Moses, Jesus comes to the land of Israel from Egypt after Herod's death.
This event is recounted in one of the more popular Christmas carols, the so-called "Coventry Carol." Herod the King, in his raging, Charged he hath this day; His men of might, in his own sight, All children young, to slay. The carol is named for the city of Coventry because in the 15th century, the trade union of shearers and tailors presented a pageant depicting the slaying of the Innocents.
This is a “difficult” feast day. Is it possible to be festive on such day? Herod’s edict, however, is nothing new. Pharoah ordered a similar slaughter of male children in the first chapter of the Book of Exodus. A few years ago we witnessed the slaughter of Amish children in their school room. Even more recently children were murdered in Newtown, Connecticut. At the same time, children are the victims of trafficking throughout our world. Some African terrorists force children to become soldiers. I would be remiss if I did not mention all the children that are killed before birth through abortion on demand and the abuse of children by adults of all walks of life.
I would suggest, therefore, that as we observe this day and meditate on the Scriptures for the day, we offer prayers and sacrifices for all the children who are at risk in our society. We could even invoke the patronage of St. Louis Casoria, recently canonized, who worked arduously to protect the children of his city from trafficking and abuse.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator