Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.
Matthew 2:13
The peace of the Lord be with you.
To say our reading today from the Gospel is dark and disturbing is an understatement. Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. As I sit with the scripture this morning, it pains me to think about how we as adults ill effect the lives of children and those who are dependent upon us to keep them safe. God has a very special place in his heart for the vulnerable, and because they are our brothers and sisters, we are called to have that same sort of compassion for them as well.
As we contemplate this great sacrifice and the dark moments of human history, may we renew our commitment to protect those who are most vulnerable in our world. It is only when their protection is insured that we can really say that justice and freedom from fear is available for all people.
May God give us the strength and the foresight to make this a priority in our world. In the name of the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.