How does the Feast of the Holy Innocents, with its haunting reminder that “He ordered the massacre,” challenge me to reflect on the moral character of authentic human development, as described in On Care for Our Common Home—calling me to honor the mutual connection of all beings in an ordered system, while also considering a seminarian’s insight from The WTC: The Podcast, that “the formators really need to know who you are in order to form you into who you’re meant to be”—and how might this understanding deepen my awareness of God’s presence in moments of “sunset love”❓
Gospel
When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.
Reflection
The Feast of the Holy Innocents invites me to confront the terrible reality of Herod’s actions, which disrupted the natural, ordered progression of life and family for countless parents and children. In reflecting on this, I am reminded that God’s order is not one of domination but of peace, justice, and love—a stark contrast to the chaos and suffering caused by human sin. As the Gospel recounts, “He ordered the massacre,” but God’s order brings life, not destruction.
On Care for Our Common Home highlights the importance of respecting the mutual connection of all beings within an ordered system. This interconnectedness reveals that creation itself bears witness to the harmony God intended, a harmony broken by humanity’s misuse of power and resources. Herod’s disregard for life mirrors the disordered tendencies of exploitation and consumption, which disregard the intrinsic value of both people and the environment.
“A code red was ordered by my platoon…”
The seminarian’s reflection on The WTC: The Podcast emphasizes the need for formation that aligns with who we are meant to be. This process mirrors God’s ordered plan for each of us—a plan that requires being known, valued, and shaped within the context of community and love. Herod’s tyranny, however, stemmed from fear and insecurity, distorting any sense of order into an oppressive force. This sharpens my resolve to foster relationships and systems that reflect God’s loving and ordered intentions.
“…it’s a little bit different getting
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placed into a new Seminary because
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because of how personal it is and how
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much the formators really need to know
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who you are in order to form you into
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who you’re meant to be…”
As I contemplate the beauty of “sunset love,” I am reminded of the gentle, ordered rhythm of creation and God’s presence in the world. How do I strive to live in harmony with this divine order, particularly in how I treat others and care for creation❓ And how can I courageously resist the forces of disarray in my own life, when I face the sobering reminder in today’s Gospel that…
Authentic human development has a moral character. It presumes full respect for the human person, but it must also be concerned for the world around us and “take into account the nature of each being and of its mutual connection in an ordered system”.[8]
From paragraph 5 of ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME