Daily Gospel Reflection for December 28, 2024

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18

It’s a bit odd that, after the joy and celebration of the past few days, the Church gives us this reading and this day, which we know as the Feast of the Holy Innocents. In his 2016 letter marking the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Pope Francis acknowledged that “Christmas is also accompanied, whether we like it or not, by tears.” I sometimes even have trouble reading the scriptural account, as I can’t even imagine the scene. Babies and toddler boys ripped from the arms of their mothers and slayed before their very eyes—it’s hard to even fathom, especially if we can see our own child’s face.

But this day honors the children killed by the King Herod whose goal was to kill the newborn King to hang onto his own control. These babies and toddlers died instead of the newborn Jesus, so that he could live to die in our place. In reality then, these children, the first martyrs, shed their blood for me, so I owe them a debt of gratitude; this day honors their sacrifice.

The Church, in her wisdom, also wants to remind us that Jesus entered a world of corruption and conflict, a world that wouldn’t receive Him or His message. It was not a safe or pretty place, yet God persisted in His plan to save humanity by sending His only son. Jesus knew the cost and accepted not only the joys of being human, but the sufferings as well, knowing that good would come from what was intended for evil.

Corruption, conflict, and refusal to receive the Gospel message are still in strong evidence in our day. As Christians, we too must live with the dichotomy of joy and sorrow in our everyday lives, trusting God to bring good out of it all.

Ponder:

How do I process simultaneous joys and sorrows in my life?

Pray:

Lord, guide me through confusing times with the constant reminder that You already know the ending. Help me to trust You in joy and sorrow both.

Copyright 2024 Suzanne Beck