“Let Christmas be an occasion for all of us to renew our commitment to the cause of justice and peace in the world, and make this earthly pilgrimage more meaningful!”

(Based on the Feast of the Holy Innocents & the 400th Death Anniversary of St Francis de Sales)

Christmas is one of the most – if not the most – popular Fest in the world!

This Fest is – besides the spiritual nourishment – greatly celebrated…
… with a lot of joy and merriment
… with the aspect of renewing relationships through get-togethers
… with a lot of decorations and festoons to amplify the exciting tone

But for a moment, when we think of the very First Christmas Night…
… we begin to understand that such was not exactly the mood back then!

There were many elements on that First Christmas Night which were very ordinary and some even, sad and scandalizing!
… the long and arduous travel of the “expectant Mother with Child” and the “uncertain father” towards Bethlehem
… the Holy Family failing to find a place in the inn (perhaps, refused to be given a place!)
… the birth of the Messiah, the Creator of the entire universe, in a manger – which was actually the place of feeding for the animals!
… the terrifying and indecisive flight into Egypt

As the famous Carol goes, it was in all probability more of a “Silent Night…!”

Another importantly sad and scandalizing event was that of the “Killing of the Innocents” under the age of two, at the order of King Herod (Mt 2: 16-18)

On this fourth Day of the Christmas Octave, Dec 28th, Holy Mother Church celebrates this Commemoration of The Holy Innocents.

The news that a new King of the Jews was born caused great ordeal for King Herod (Mt 2: 3)

He became all the more furious when he heard that the Magi had deceived him (Mt 2:16)

The easiest solution found was to kill all the males under the age of two.

To react negatively, in a situation of hardship, often seems to be the easiest way out.

But it is an extremely cheap and low way of going about

But Herod fell into this snare of “negative reaction” and had little babies killed.

These babies, too little and young to form a will and a desire to love, became martyrs of Blood. (Mt 2:16)

St Augustine would say, “They are the first buds of the Church killed by the frost of persecution;
.. they died not only for Christ, but in his stead!”

The number of children killed is uncertain. >> There are several views on the actual number of children who were killed.

The Byzantine Liturgy (Greek) says that Herod killed 14,000 boys

The Syrian Liturgy speaks of 64,000.
Another scholarly study suggests that Bethlehem was a tiny town, at the time of Jesus, with a population of maybe 300. The number of children below the age of two could be very less – maybe six or seven.

But the fact remains, that it was a tragedy gravely foul and grievously painful.

The death of the little children is a reminder that our earthly life is a pilgrimage…
… to be oriented for the eternal life in heaven

The dreadful massacre of the innocent children can easily cause a question to arise in us:

Why did God allow the helpless death of the children before their own parents?
Why did these little children have to be murdered, for saving the Divine Child?
Could not God have planned a noble way of saving Him?

Such questions can cause our faith to be disturbed or even be scandalized by the ways of God.

But it brings home an important truth: Our earthly life is a pilgrimage.

No one knows how long we will live
… some die in infancy, some in their old age
… some die prepared, some suddenly and tragically.

This is the reality that we find in the world – we like it or not, we accept or not.

It, therefore, is a call for us, to nurture life in the best way possible

Our own lives by living in holiness and fidelity to the Will of God
Preserving, nurturing and enhancing others – including the little infants in the wombs.

This commemoration of the Holy Innocents is a reminder to open our eyes to see the tragedies of the world and become courageous torch-bearers of justice.

This passage of King Herod and the Holy Innocents might sometimes seem to be like…
… “the unwarranted bone” in the tasty meal of Christmas
… or the “jarring note” in the melodious music of Christ’s Nativity.

We often like to live in “cozy and comfortable” situations – even if it means, closing our eyes to the stark and tragic realities of life.

But it is the obligation of every Christian to “get out of every comfort zone”…
… and enter into the “suffering sections” of the society, and give them hope and consolation

The “cry of the mothers of the innocent children”…
… Mt 2:18 – “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation”… is also a “Carol”, that is heard every Christmas

Yes, let us genuinely understand that Christmas – the birth of Christ, ought to not merely be a “festival of fun or frolic”…
… but also should lead us to hear the many “cries of innocents” today – the oppressed and the abused, the voiceless and the helpless, the sinful and the lonely etc.

Christmas is undoubtedly, one of the most – if not the most – popular Fest in the world!

But let not this Fest be drowned only in external celebrations and merriment

Rather, let it also be an occasion for all of us to renew our commitment to the cause of justice and peace in the world…
… and make this earthly pilgrimage more meaningful!

Today we also commemorate the 400th Death Anniversary of St Francis de Sales (SFS)

St Francis de Sales died on 28th December, 1622 – on the feast day of the Holy Innocents.

In St Francis de Sales, we have a Saint who passionately loved God and compassionately served God’s people.

Today, we are presented with his life, to imitate Christ in humility, gentleness, simplicity of life and joyful optimism.

St Francis de Sales was convinced, that nothing is greater than “seeking and doing” the Will of God.

He would in fact, say: “Do everything calmly and peacefully. Strive to see God in all things without exception, and consent to His Will joyously. Do everything for God, uniting yourself to Him in word and deed.”

Undoubtedly, in doing the Will of God, we will have to face moments of loneliness, as we will find ourselves…
… swimming against the currents of the world.

But in all such situations, the Lord assures us, with His five beautiful words: I WILL BE WITH YOU!

Let us seek the mighty intercession of the Gentleman Saint to “seek and do” God’s Will at all times and thus “to soar high in the skies of sanctity!”

Salutations to the Holy Innocents and Glory to the Divine Babe, Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE PUNISHMENTS OF SIN

The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains.
While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace.

He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the “old man” and to put on the “new man.” (CCC #1472)