Welcome to our blog, where today we delve into the feast of the Holy Innocents, celebrated on December 28. The priest Fernando Luján shares his insights on this important day.
“From the mouths of sucklings you have brought forth praise” (Psalm 8).
Each year, on December 28, the Church commemorates the Innocent Children killed by King Herod in Bethlehem. This tragic event is recorded in the Gospel of Saint Matthew[1], where Herod seeks to eliminate the prophesied king of Israel. The High Priests reveal the prophecy of Micah, pinpointing Bethlehem as the birthplace of this king who will shepherd Israel.
The Old Testament unfolds as a prelude to the Messiah, with numerous references to Christ centuries before his birth. The Church interprets these prophecies to reveal their true meaning.
Herod’s fear of losing power led to the massacre of innocent children under two years old in Bethlehem, fulfilling Jeremiah’s prophecy of mourning in Ramah[2]. This tragic event is a somber consequence of Christ’s birth during the Christmas Octave.
The Holy Innocents, unable to defend themselves against cruelty, bear witness to Christ through their sacrifice, echoing Psalm 8’s proclamation of praise from infants against adversaries.
In today’s world, the plight of unborn children echoes the Innocents’ tragedy. Just as Herod saw a threat in the Messiah’s birth, modern society often views unborn life as a problem. Pope Francis challenges us to question the necessity of taking a life to solve a problem.
The Holy Innocents, martyrs for Christ, continue to inspire us today, receiving the eternal crown of glory. They symbolize all innocent lives lost to cruelty throughout history, including victims of abortion.
Let us reflect on the words of Saint Quodvuldeo in the Liturgy of the Hours: “Those children, without knowing it, die for Christ, becoming witnesses to his reign as king, liberator, and savior.”
[1] See Mt 2:13-18
[2] Sermon 2, by Saint Quodvuldeo, bishop – Office of Readings for the Feast
