HOLY   INNOCENTS

INTRODUCTION

The title of my reflection is: Holy Innocents.

This is a reflection for today: the feast of the Holy Innocents.

We know the story: Herod heard that there was a new born baby boy born in our midst - someone who might take over his power - someone who might take over his prominence - so he calls for the death of all new born baby boys - two years old or younger.

WE KNOW THE STORY

We know the story: number 1’s  don’t like to become number 2’s or 222,222’s.

We know the story: we are neither holy - nor are we innocent.

We know the story: there is always someone better in our midst - someone who will get the job - or the end piece of the birthday care - the piece with more icing - or the end piece of the meatloaf - if that’s the piece we love and have our eye on - or the donut with the raspberry filling.

We know the story: someone always gets better cards or a better roll of the dice in life.

We know the story: someone is always smarter than us - or finds algebra easier - or does the homework - and we didn’t - and so we cheat - making us once neither holy or innocent.

So people abort - babies - we can’t afford the cost - or do the extra for one more kid in our midst.

So people cut down those at work or school or life - who do the more - and we do the less.

When we’re babies we don’t know these things. We’re holy. We’re innocent.  But in time - we start to spot things we don’t like.  We don’t like to stand on line and see others get ahead of us.

What was our first awareness of sin or unfairness or me-first-ism?

What was our first sin?

Was it selfishness?

Was it jealousy?

Was it grabbing the other kids’ toys or dolls or candy or coins on the other kids desk?

When did we make our first real confession - telling God - telling a priest in a dark box - that we didn’t do what our mom or dad asked us to do - just a simple chore?   We wanted what we wanted when we wanted it. We didn’t want to be bothered when we wanted to watch our favorite TV cartoons.

THE READINGS FOR THIS FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS

When did we realize that today’s first reading is about us: we found it hard to admit we are not innocent - but when we did admit we can be selfish and sinful - we can be healed. [1 John, 5-2, 2]

When was the first time we said, “I did it! I lied. I sinned. I was wrong.”

Does every first child - have Herod feelings - when their parents come home with a new born baby?  Uh oh! I’m about to lose some of my privileges?

When was the first time we saw another look at us and forgive us - because they understood non-innocence- they too had made mistakes - they too learned that Jesus died to deal with all this messy side of life.

Jesus didn’t sleep perfectly every night. He knew darkness - and people who sinned.

Jesus knew morning and light - holiness and innocence.

CONCLUSION

And Mary and Joseph heard the screams of innocent children being slaughtered on their way out of Israel as they headed for Egypt - knowing they will probably hear the same sounds there in Egypt - that their ancestors heard a thousand years earlier before they escaped towards the ever illusive promised land.