The evil King Herod, called the great, was justifiably unpopular with his people because of his religious indifference and his consorting with the Romans. He was thus insecure and fearful of his power. He was a terrible tyrant and was extremely brutal. He murdered his wife, his brother and his sister’s two husbands, among many others.
He was “greatly troubled” by the Wise Men from the East who came asking after the Messiah, Jesus Our Lord. An angel of the Lord told them not to trust Herod and after they found the Holy Family and worshiped the Lord, they returned to their homeland another way. Herod became furious and ordered the massacre of all the boy children in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas. This was foretold in Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentations; Rachel weeping for her children.” Historians tell us that Herod had a horrible end, similar to many tyrants, from Henry VIII to Stalin. How frightening to die as an enemy of the King of Justice, to refuse the Divine Love!
The Holy Innocents gave their lives for the Baby Jesus. Compared to the genocide and abortion horrors of our day they were small in number, but one Innocent child murdered is one too many! “Purify us, O Lord and keep us ever mindful of the sacrifice of Thy martyrs throughout all time; Those who have washed their robes in the Blood of the Lamb and cry, “How long, Lord? How long?” Blessed be their sacrifice. Blessed be Thy Holy Name! Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
