Breaking the Word

Holy Innocents, Wednesday — 28^th December 2022 — Gospel: Matthew 2,13-18

Chosen Martyrs

Matthew’s gospel is the only gospel, which has the story of the killing of innocent children by Herod. A king is born, but a king is already here; and there is room for only one king. The birth of Jesus, the messianic king, triggers a conflict with the kingship already present in this world.  A person is identified not only by his friends, but also by his enemies. Herod pretended that he wanted to worship the newborn king (Mt 2,8), when in reality he wanted to destroy Him. Herod’s anger was evidence of his pride. He could not permit anyone to get the best of him, particularly some Gentile scholars. This led him to kill the boy babies two years of age and under, who were in Bethlehem. Some scholars calculate that this would be between 10 and 20 boys in a small village like Bethlehem. Even today only about twenty thousand people live there. These are the Holy Innocents and martyrs because they died for the sake of, or in the place of Jesus.  They did not choose to die but were killed by Herod’s crazy anger. The church has declared these children martyrs. The first saints of Christ are infants. They speak to us at Christmas, and their witness does not go unnoticed.

St.Stephen – Proto Martyr, Monday – 26^th December 2022 — Gospel: Mt 10,17-22

Never Worry

St.Stephen is regarded as the first Christian martyr. He was one of the seven deacons appointed by the Apostles to distribution alms and foods to the needy. In the first reading, we read the story of how Stephen was tried by the Sanhedrin for blasphemy against Moses and God and also of speaking against the Temple and the Law. He was tried, found guilt and stoned to death. Stephen had not read the Matthean mission discourse and yet he had been influenced by the life, mission and death of Jesus Christ, his master. He was also confident of the resurrection and of victory even in the face of defeat and death. He knew that if he continued to stand for the truth, he would indeed be victorious. Stephen did not go around looking for trouble or desired martyrdom for Jesus, yet he stood up to his faith in time of trial and was courageous to give up his life.