Pages

Monday, December 30, 2013

HOLY INNOCENTS -- AND HOLY FAMILY

Many blessings to you all in this holy season.  I'm on vacation visiting my daughter's Bluhomes startup company in California with my brothers and dad.

From our liturgy at Holy Trinity Port Huron this past weekend --

 
“Rachel weeps and will not be comforted for her children are no more” Jer 31:15
Yet there is hope in the following verses, Jer 31:16-17

Our prayers for the feast of the Holy Innocents this year concur with the Feast of the Holy Family
PRAYER PROCESSION FOR THE HOLY INNOCENTS, AND IN CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Those who so choose, immediately following the 11 am mass on Dec. 29th at St Joseph Church, will process around one block of our church neighborhood, while others remain in prayer in the church. We make special intention this year for peace in the Middle East.

Herod feared the coming of the Prince of Peace, so he killed the innocent babies of Bethlehem {Mt 2: 13-18}. We strive together to convert from this age-old fear-filled recourse to violence to protect worldly power.

We commemorate all those who have died in war and violence. We pray for an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Darfur, Libya, Syria, all wars. We pray for an end to abortion, for an end to all disrespect for life.

The Holy Family then inspires us, as they heeded the angel’s warning, escaped into Egypt, and made their way back to Nazareth where they grew in wisdom and grace.  May all of our families follow their holy example, and grow in love, courage, and mercy for each other.

 

There is something disconcerting in Jesus evading the murderous troops of Herod while many infants perished.  Inscrutable the ways of God in known history.  The ongoing problem of the terrible bad that can happen to innocent people.   But we are given the overwhelming hope that with the coming of the Prince of Peace all death and suffering is conquered, Herod’s wrath banished, by the love of the cross—God’s Son taking it all on in the end, eternal life the promise become reality.

 

 

No comments:

Post a Comment