December 28, 2013: Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Readings
- 1 Jn 1:5—2:2 God is light; in him is no darkness. If we walk in the light, we have fellowship... If we acknowledge our sins, he will forgive and cleanse us. Advocate Jesus Christ is expiation for our sins and the world's.
- Ps 124:2-5, 7cd-8 "Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare." Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
- Mt 2:13-18 Angel to Joseph: “Flee to Egypt; Herod wants to destroy the child.” They departed. Herod, realizing the magi deceived him, ordered the massacre of all the boys two years old and under.
Pope Francis
- Gospel Joy (Evangelii Gaudium drill-down), continuing Chapter 3 (a series):
A mother's conversation: The Church is a mother, preaching as a mother speaks to her trusting children who know they're loved. A good mother recognizes what God is doing in her children and listens to and learns from them. Love guides mother and child in conversation; they teach, learn, are corrected, and grow. In a homily, the Spirit inspires the preacher to hear God’s people and find the way to preach. Christian preachers find living water in people's hearts and culture, helping them to know what to say and how. As we like to be spoken to in our mother tongue, so too we hear better when spoken to in our “mother culture,” a music that inspires encouragement, strength, and enthusiasm. Preachers, encourage this maternal and ecclesial setting through your closeness, warmth, unpretentious manner, and joyful gestures; with it you'll bear fruit, even when giving tedious counsels. Admire the resources Jesus used to dialogue, reveal his mystery, and attract people; he preached with joy, seeing beyond weaknesses and failings. Preachers, communicate that joy.Reflections(3.II, 139-141, pp. 110-112)
- Creighton: God protected Jesus by warning Joseph to flee. Christmas lights point to Jesus and salvation. I have an Advocate if I walk in the light.
- RC.net: Herod's massacre of children seemed useless and unjust. Suffering in any form (illness, handicap, pain, abuse, poverty, injustice...) is a mystery, but God gives us joy, faith, and hope to bear it.
- Universalis: The Holy Innocents are the children who slaughtered at Herod's orders so newborn Jesus, King of the Jews, would not survive. They can stand for the many “unimportant” sacrificed because they “don’t matter.” In God’s eyes, everyone matters. Our suffering for God’s sake has value even if we have no say in it. Remember too those who die in the womb...
- City of God/ Schutte: sung by composer or John Michael Talbot (1st reading)
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| Children around tree: Holy Innocents Christmas pin: season |
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