Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Herod ordered the execution of all young male children in the vicinity of Bethlehem, so as to avoid the loss of his throne to a newborn King of the Jews whose birth had been announced to him by the Magi.Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Feast of the Holy Innocents
The First Letter of John, chapter one, verse five thru chapter two, verse two;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-four, verses two & three, four & five, & seven(c/d) & eight;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter two, verses thirteen thru eighteen.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel describes Herod’s massacre of the boys of Bethlehem, his furious reaction to being deceived by the Magi. Matthew’s account of the visit of the Magi purposely juxtaposes King Herod and the mysterious Magi from the east. Herod was the consummate political survivor, a canny realist who had, through threats, murder, and corruption, found his way to the top of the political ladder.Video reflection by Father Don Miller, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
While Herod was fussing around, desperately trying to maintain himself in power, figures from a distant country were blithely indifferent to politics and games of domination. They were intensely surveying the night sky, looking for signs from God. Now, as they cross the border into Herod’s country, the Magi come onto Herod’s radar-screen. Who are they? Spies? And whom are they seeking? A newborn king? That is a threat! That is treason.
Under the pretense of piety, he calls the Magi to himself and inquires after the star’s first appearance, getting the time coordinates; and then he asks them to go to Bethlehem and find the exact locale. With this GPS system, he can find the king—and stamp him out.
Bonus! Song o' the Holy Innocents
Relativity, "Coventry Carol" from Joy to the World! (The Last Solemn Man)
Commentary: As has been remarked before, the "Coventry Carol" is a stunning beautiful work about a staggeringly ugly event.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Anthony of Lérins, Religious (circa 468-520, A.K.A. the Hermit): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Hryhoriy Khomyshyn, Bishop & Martyr (1867-1947, A.K.A. Grzegorz Chomyszyn), martyred in the reign of the Communist dictator Joseph Stalin, one of the twenty-five Martyrs Killed under Communist Regimes in Eastern Europe: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link XXV.
Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:
"He who trusts himself is lost. He who trusts in God can do all things."
—St. Alphonsus Ligouri, Doctor of the Church (1696-1787, feast day: 1 August)
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