Today we celebrate the Feast of The Holy Innocents.  

As we reflect on today’s gospel (Matthew 2:13-18), we remember the innocent children of Bethlehem who were slain by Herod in his quest to destroy the child Jesus.

This day certainly brings to mind the loss of those twenty innocent children in Newtown last year at this time.  Like those first Christian martyrs two thousand years ago, the children of Newtown also succumbed to the evil and violence of our world.

In this season of Christmas, as the light of the new born Christ shines once again, let us pray for our world – that God’s light might triumph over evil and violence, that all the people of the world might turn away from darkness and towards the light of Christ and allow their hearts and minds to be filled with God’s goodness and love.

And let’s say a prayer today for all those who suffer violence, all those who are marginalized, all those who are facing hardship, all those who are feeling despair – that they might be able to see through their own darkness and suffering and come to discover the loving and provident hand of God that will carry them through.

And let’s say a prayer today for ourselves that we might be a reflection of God’s love and compassion by reaching out to those who need a hand to hold or a shoulder to lean on – that we might reflect God’s light onto those in darkness and help bring them the comfort and peace that only God can provide.