Friday, 28 December was the fourth day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord, within the Christmastide: Wikipedia-link Octave & Wikipedia-link Christmastide. Merry Christmas!
'Twas the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs: Martyrs-link ūnus, Martyrs-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
"When Herod realized that he had been tricked by the Magi he was furious, & he sent & killed all the boys in Bethlehem & its vicinity who were two years old & under according to the time he had learned from the Magi." (Matthew, 2:16)Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:
O Lord, today we commemorate the sacrifice of the Holy Innocents. But the innocents are still dying; may I fight with all my might & resources to protect them.Scripture of That 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 the Reverend David Uribe, O.M.I.: 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.
'Twas also the festival of Saint Anthony of Lérins, Religious (circa 468-520, A.K.A. the Hermit): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Twas also the festival of Saint Caterina Volpicelli, Religious (1839-1894), foundress of the Maids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Twas 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 Eastern Europe.
Papal Quote o' That Day
"Human life is sacred. From its inception it reveals the creating hand of God. Those who violate His laws offend the Divine Majesty & degrade themselves & humanity. They also sap the vitality of the political community of which they are members."Saint Quote o' That Day
—Pope St. John XXIII (1881-1963, feast day: 11 October)
"If we pray, we will believe. If we believe, we will love. If we love, we will serve."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta ("Mother Teresa," 1910-1997; feast day: 5 September)
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