BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARKNESS: COMMEMORATING THE HOLY INNOCENTS (1 JOHN 1:5 TO 2:2; MT. 2: 13-18).

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Beloved in Christ, today, the Catholic Church commemorates the Feast of the Holy Innocents. The biblical readings given to us challenge our perception of God, the nature of evil, the role of human agency in a world that experience both darkness and light. The celebration of the Nativity of Jesus and the fulfillment of prophecies help us meditate on the foundation of our faith.

The first reading, (1 John1:5 to 2:2 ) offer us a reflection on God. The evangelist John says: “God is light and in Him there is no darkness!”. Using the image of light to describe God enlightens our mind. Its opposition to the darkness of sin and evil helps us comprehend that as children of God, “created in God’s image and likeness”, we are called upon to walk in in light; in other words, the reflect the image of our Creator. Darkness is often associated with fear, crime, evil, etc. Several biblical passages invite us to live as children of light.

Ephesians 5:8-11says: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”  

1 Thessalonians 5:5-8: says: “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”


Romans 13:12-14: says: “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

This metaphorical use of light, as opposed to darkness, symbolizes purity, truth, and holiness as opposed to sin, falsehood and evil. We all experience the reality of evil and sin. Herod massacred these Innocent Children in his quest for power. We can imagine the pain and agony of these children and their families. God could have certainly eliminated Herod; but rather he chose to take the Child-Jesus to Egypt. Both the massacre of the Innocent Children and the flight to Egypt were interpreted as accomplishment of prophecies. The core message is to understand that it is in a violent world that Jesus was born. This invites us to contemplate the mystery of a non-violent God, whose love is extended to all. This is one of the specificities of Christian faith: Incarnate-God who loves all!

Yet, it is important that we receive this message in our personal life. Herod was not born violent; he became so because of his quest for power. Every living soul can choose to be by the side of light, rejecting the temptation of violence, of evil.  This becomes possible when we grow in awareness of human frailty, our failures, our sins, and find hope and forgiveness in the Blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin.  As Saint John said: “If we say that we are without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

Today, the notion of sin is gradually fading, and our society continuously tries to justify sin with all sorts of argument in order to make people not feel culpable. St John says: “If we acknowledge our sins, He (God) is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.”

Amidst the contradictions of this world, the birth of Child Jesus offers us hope. We called to trust God’s ultimate plan of salvation for humanity and act like Joseph, even when we don’t understand God’s ways. God’s plan for us is deeply rooted in His Love and Mercy offered to all.  In a world where Children are still being massacred, maltreated, kidnapped, suffer violence and abuses, let’s remember that the Infant Jesus calls us to action as Jospeh did. Let us therefore live and work as children of light. As we continue to grapple with the realities of evil and suffering in a world governed by a God of love and peace who has sent us a prince of peace, let us find hope and strength in the Emmanuel, God with us!

 

 

A Prayer on the Feast of the Holy Innocents

Heavenly Father, on this Feast of the Holy Innocents, we seek Your light amidst the darkness of this world. We remember the innocent lives lost and embrace Your presence, O God of light, in whom there is no darkness.

Guide us, Lord, to walk as children of light, embodying goodness, righteousness, and truth. Help us to reject the deeds of darkness and to wear the armor of light, living in the love and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the mystery of Your non-violent love, revealed in the birth of Jesus and the trials of the Holy Innocents, grant us the grace to acknowledge our frailties and sins, seeking Your forgiveness and healing. Like St Jospeh, inspire us to act with courage and faith, trusting in Your plan of salvation.

Protect all children who suffer from violence and abuse and empower us to be instruments of Your peace and mercy. May the Emmanuel, God with us, be our constant source of hope and strength.

We make our prayers through Christ our Lord, Amen.🙏🙏🙏

 


Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 28, 2023 at 12:55 PM

    The massacre of the Innocent Child reminds us of how fragile life is and most importantly our mission of protecting every life from violence, atrocities...

    ReplyDelete

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