(picture from Innocence/Brother, Give Us a Word )
This day is always painful for me. Not three days after celebrating the birth of a baby – a baby who came to ease pain and bring justice, we face the first reaction to his arrival. Clearly a threat to those in control, to those in power – the announcement of Jesus birth brought on a reaction of horror.
Feeling a real threat to his rule, Herod ordered the slaughter of ever child under the age of two throughout his region. All those babies killed because of one person’s insecurity. This act of anger and selfish greed is hard to comprehend and brings a sadness with no words.
We remember these children today. Lost due to the threat of God’s arrival, their cries echo in the air of history.
Could we hear about this event and use it as a reminder of the forces against all that is good in humanity. Acts of selfish deceit always surround us. The powerless continue to be at the mercy of those who lack compassion and wield power. For the sake of those innocent lives taken so long ago and for all children suffering from mean and selfish acts throughout our world today, let us stay alert and offer our protection no matter the risk.
The telling of the Good News has begun to float anew throughout the world. May we speak and act on the promise of that news – God’s kingdom is here in our midst – a kingdom filled with compassion and mercy.
Carrie's Bench 
You must be logged in to post a comment.