Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

Lectionary: 698​

(King Herod) 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.

 

I believe the expression is “collateral damage.” Herod intended to destroy only the child whose star had been seen at its rising, whom the magi came to worship. Unfortunately, the king’s peace of mind and Jerusalem’s security under the unstable despot required the additional casualties. 

Americans understand collateral damage as both our dignity and our security were assaulted in September 2001. The ensuing invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq cost many thousands of civilian lives. Many people seem not to remember why we invaded those distant countries in the first place. They did not provide us or any other nation with more security. But that too they regard as regrettable and most unfortunate.

Abortion was also supposed to prevent unwanted invaders of domestic tranquility. Desirable children would be welcome, protected, and nurtured. Undesired children were expendable. The proponents of abortion have noticed neither the rise in violence against preferred children, nor their high incidence of suicide.

Sadly, we still hear sobbing and loud lamentation. Rachel weeping for her children, and she is not consoled, since they are no more. Neither security nor prosperity can be secured by violence.

The tragic story of the Holy Innocents inevitably accompanies the Infancy Narrative of Jesus. Without the brilliant star of Bethlehem we cannot see the evil we generate and tolerate. Herod was taking care of business when he sent his soldiers to find the infant. The soldiers were following orders. Jerusalem was anxious that the moody, suspicious king should not be unhappy. The babies of distant Bethlehem and their wailing parents: what did they matter in the light of national security?

If the Gospel is true it will show us much that we’d rather not see. But if we turn away from Rachel and her grief, we lose sight of the Lord.