So, what beyond an historical event does this feast bring to us some 2000 years later? Indeed this feast may seem at first lance little more than a hold over from days long past.
This feast ... celebrated on many church calendars ... is one that might be particularly relevant for our times. We are surrounded by the many ways suffering presents itself in our times. Most of us have been introduced to suffering in one of its many forms. Just consider some of these experiences of suffering ( ... as if you had to be informed! ): illness, disease, handicaps, physical pain, emotional trauma, slander, abuse, poverty and injustice. Add to these the painful and tragic destruction inflicted on so many young bodies as a result of abortions or as a consequence of wars, uprising and genocides that have marked so many calendars in modern times.
The deaths of those under two years of age because of Herod's maniacal massacre has always seemed senseless and unjust. Because of one man's pride, the young boys were sought out and their lives ended.
The irrational actions of a leader in Christ's early days brings us to consider the irrational reality of war ... at least in this blogger's mind and heart. Just consider how many millions have died in and since World War II fighting international battles, tribal conflicts, religious disputes and assassinations. How many of these are victims are not but contemporary models of the Holy Innocents? Very few, no doubt.
In the words of Matthew's gospel, Jesus tells us that those who weep, the many who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed. The Greek word used for "blessed" in the gospels is makarios. The literal translation is "happiness" or "beatitude."
Those who suffer because of these various kinds of sufferings are gifted with an untouchable and serene kind of joy. This kind of happiness or peace comes because one's life is charged by faith, hope and trust in God and what he has promised us.
In John's gospel Jesus told his disciples "no one will take your joy from you (16:22)." There is for those who believe and follow Jesus a supernatural joy that provides the strength to endure suffering and pain.
Do you experience the joy of life fully surrendered to God with faith and trust? A walk through the rehabilitation rooms for the Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed Hospital or other such care centers can be an eye opener to anyone seeking to understand suffering in a truly spiritual sense.
Let me close with these words from Psalm 124: 2-3 and 8:
If it had not been for the Lord
who was on our side
when men rose up against us
then they would have swallowed us up alive
when their anger was enkindled against us ...
our help is in the name of the Lord.
