Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

"Out of Egypt I called my son."

Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:13-18

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "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." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.

Today's gospel reading takes us back to the time of the first martyrs for Christ. Herod wanted to destroy Christ because of his pending royalty. To do this, he had all the male children under 2 years of age killed. But why would God allow this to happen. Why would he let so much sorrow and misery come into the world at the same time the world had received the most glorious gift. There is no explanation except that God does not interfere in man's inhumanity to man. Our own freewill lets us chose ourselves over others. Throughout history man has tried to elevate himself to the role of ruler and emperor only to be defeated. There is no great civilization that was ruled by greed, lust and a desire for power that has not been defeated. However, during their reign, they cause much suffering and sorrow. But, if we place our lives and hopes in God, we can find some solace and even joy in the face of suffering and sorrow. The young children that were sacrificed for His glorious Son found a special place in heaven. In today's society, the unborn children who are sacrificed in the name of "freedom of choice" are also martyrs in the movement to protect human dignity and human life. Today, we pray for all the children who have been martyred.

A Simple Prayer

Lord God in Heaven, please lift up all the unborn children who were sacrificed today.

May their souls rest in your arms forever.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon