THE PLIGHT OF THE INNOCENT
Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
My dear encountered couples:
Herod was furious with the three wise men (astrologers) for not reporting back to him as he had told them. He was used to getting his way, of having people carry out his orders. But since the wise men were far off by now and with no prospect of being able to catch up with them, he turned his fury on those who were unable to defend themselves. He had all the children in Bethlehem two years old and under put to death. He murdered the innocent.
Have you ever been so angry at someone or something that you took it out on an innocent person. Husbands and fathers who have been given a hard time by the boss are typically pointed out as examples of those who persecute the innocent. Some have been known to come home and take their anger and frustrations out on their wives and children. Maybe the same can be said nowadays about working wives and mothers. How about us? Do we ever unjustly inflict unkind words or actions upon those we live with, upon any innocent person? Do we ever take our anger out on the dog or cat?
What should we do when we feel angry and frustrated? Give it to Christ. Even though Mary and Joseph took him away from the brunt of Herod’s anger, Jesus wants you to give him yours. Tell Jesus you are angry and ask him to help you with it. Then go out in a field and yell your lungs out. You’ll feel a lot better than if you hurt someone innocent. Never forget the cruelty of Herod.
