Today we remember the Holy Innocents that we read about in the second chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew:
When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” (Mt. 2: 16-18).
Herod was appointed by the Romans in 40 B.C. to rule over Palestine. For 37 years, Herod the Great was ruthless. The historian Josephus described Herod as “a man of great barbarity towards everyone.” During his reign, Herod was continually in fear of losing is throne. Fear and power, they are a deadly combination. Herod, who considered himself to be King of the Jews, was afraid that he would lose his power to a little child, so he had all of the children under 2 years of age killed to protect his position.
The Prince of Peace does not operate out of fear and does not lord it over others with his power. In this Christmas season, let us remember all of those who hold power and pray that they do not exercise it out of fear.
Let us pray: We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
This week, please remember in your prayers the family of Roylene Lemons. She died the evening of Christmas Day. The funeral will be in Monroe, Louisiana on Friday, 30 December at 11:00 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church. At St. Augustine, we will offer the Eucharist for her and for Charles Lemons and his family on Sunday, the 1st of January at 9:00 a.m.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” (Mt. 2: 16-18).
Herod was appointed by the Romans in 40 B.C. to rule over Palestine. For 37 years, Herod the Great was ruthless. The historian Josephus described Herod as “a man of great barbarity towards everyone.” During his reign, Herod was continually in fear of losing is throne. Fear and power, they are a deadly combination. Herod, who considered himself to be King of the Jews, was afraid that he would lose his power to a little child, so he had all of the children under 2 years of age killed to protect his position.
The Prince of Peace does not operate out of fear and does not lord it over others with his power. In this Christmas season, let us remember all of those who hold power and pray that they do not exercise it out of fear.
Let us pray: We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
This week, please remember in your prayers the family of Roylene Lemons. She died the evening of Christmas Day. The funeral will be in Monroe, Louisiana on Friday, 30 December at 11:00 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church. At St. Augustine, we will offer the Eucharist for her and for Charles Lemons and his family on Sunday, the 1st of January at 9:00 a.m.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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