December 28, 2010
The Holy Innocents, martyrs

Read

Today’s Reading from the Gospel of Matthew.

Pray

Pray that the massacre of the Holy Innocents is not perpetuated with the continued destruction of innocent human life through the sin of abortion.
Lord Jesus, source of life, deliver us from all sorrow and pain, darkness and death. Grant that we may see the day when the darkness of abortion may be dispelled by your light. For you are Lord, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflect

Reflect with Leo the Great on the Feast of the Holy Innocents--- “The children and little ones will go before us into the Kingdom of Heaven. The Holy Innocents are unknowing martyrs immediately associated with Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and the glory of the Resurrection, because there is merely a temporal gap—not a spiritual one—between Christmas and Easter. This occasion helps us to “become like children” (Mt 18:3). May it encourage us to fight for life from the moment of conception and urge us to defend the little children of the world. Tears and occasional donations are not enough: we are called to real action.” Leo the Great, Sermon, 33, 4
From Advent and Christmas with the Church Fathers

Act

Examine your conscience in light of Catholic social teaching, especially the theme of life and dignity of the human person.