Fourth Day of Christmas - The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Associated Scripture Readings:
Matthew 2:13-18,
Psalm 124Suffering for Jesus’ Sake [Herod] killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under. Matthew 2:16
Fearful that Jesus might overthrow his kingship, Herod aimed to kill Him, so he murdered all male children in the region of Bethlehem two years old and younger. Peter Rubens painted several pictures of Herod’s massacre. One painting is among the most valuable in the world. In 2002, it was purchased for $76.7 million. The murderous death of the innocents has a valuable message for us not to be calculated in dollars and cents. The message is that we can expect to suffer, even die, for the sake of Jesus and the Gospel. Simply said, suffering “goes with the territory” of being a Christian. Evil people and powers continue to have animosity for Jesus and the Gospel. Like Herod, many fail to understand why Jesus was born. They reject His death for what it was: suffering as punishment for our sins to restore us to God. Suffering because of Jesus is not only something we can expect but is an experience that God uses for good in our lives (Romans 8). St. Peter counsels, “Let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (1 Peter 4:19).
Jesus, You suffered for our sins. Give us willingness and strength to suffer for You and the Gospel. Amen.