The Feast of the Holy Innocents

Today is celebrated as the Feast of the Holy Innocents in the Catholic Church.  What does that mean to me?

In Ancient Egypt, Pharaoh feared the Israelites were becoming to numerous and he might lose his control over them.  He ordered that all male Hebrews be killed as babies by being thrown into the Nile.  Many children must have died.  Moses was spared by his mother and the charity of Pharaoh's daughter.  He would eventually lead the Israelites from Egypt.  

Years later King Herod heard of the birth of the King of the Jews in Bethlehem.  Fearing he might lose his control, King Herod ordered the massacre of all boys in the area under the age of 2.  Many innocent children must have died.  They are considered the first Christian Martyrs.  Jesus escaped with his parents to Egypt and stayed there until it was safe to return.  Jesus would eventually lead the Jews and become the Savior of the World.

Today our society fears losing control in their own life.  We allow the killing of many innocent children on the womb.  Who knows how many of those children could have led us to making the world a better place by advancing medicine or technology.  I hope we haven't murdered our times Moses before we even get a chance to spare him or her.

I pray for all the innocent children who have perished at the hands of those who fear they will lose control.  I hope they reside in Heaven with Jesus.