A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 2:13-18
When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. 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. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: 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.
REFLECTION: Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: 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.
Jesus knows what it is like. Jesus is with us when everything is going well. And He always is with us at our darkest moments. The day after Christmas we celebrated St Stephen's martyrdom. He gave up his life for Jesus. He knew of Jesus and knew the passion of the crucifixion. He stood up for his beliefs. This courage was based on the Holy Spirit's inspiration. We are encouraged not to be afraid of losing our own life when we are asked by God .
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents--all the babies were slain and they became the first martyrs for Christ--the first saints. Shortly after His birth, Jesus encountered evil. We will always be faced with evil and its consequences. The sweet innocents were slaughtered for Baby Jesus. They and their parents prayed Baby Jesus or Breathed in Jesus. They breathed in the Holy Trinity.
These innocent children died on Christ's behalf.
When we suffer, Jesus weeps with us. We are never alone in our sufferings. Breath in Jesus. Breath in the Holy Spirit.
God Bless You
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