Tuesday.blog
The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 1:5--2:2
Psalm 124:2-5,7-8
Matthew 2:13-18
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
In today's Gospel we hear how St Joseph was instructed to take Jesus and Mary and flee to Egypt. It is a story that proceeds to the sad tale of the slaughter of the Holy Innocents. When we consider that Joseph's obedience to the angel saved the newborn Savior from a similar fate we are reminded that obedience to what God asks of us is a critical factor in our salvation and indeed the salvation of the world.
Often we might not understand why it is always necessary to conform our actions and behavior to the teachings of the Church, preferring instead to sometimes blur the edges of what is commanded to fit our own selfish and sinful agendas. It is however in this blurring that truth is distorted, clear direction obscured, and the way to eternity compromised.
On this Feast of the Holy Innocents, let us make a pledge, that we, like Joseph who often didn't have all the details of God's plan laid out before him, but nevertheless faithfully obeyed the One who could be trusted, become for us a model of quick obedience and unwavering response to God. Let us, as if our actions depended upon it, shelter the life of Christ who like the newborn child, lies vulnerable to the wiles of the world. For it is so, we are the sanctuary of the living God. May He find in us a safe and holy resting place--a place from where His Kingdom can be launched, His Divine will accomplished.
- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)
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