12/28/2023 (Thursday) Today’s gospel reading: Matthew 2:13-18

13 When the magi had departed, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: “Rise up, and take the boy and his mother, and flee into Egypt. And remain there until I tell you. For it will happen that Herod will seek the boy to destroy him.”
14 Joseph rose and took the boy and his mother by night, and withdrew into Egypt.
15 And he remained there, until the death of Herod, in order to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Out of Egypt, I called my son.”
16 Then Herod, seeing that he had been fooled by the Magi, was very angry. And so he sent to kill all the boys who were in Bethlehem, and in all its borders, from two years of age and under, according to the time that he had learned by questioning the Magi.
17 Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled, saying:
18 “A voice has been heard in Ramah, great weeping and wailing: Rachel crying for her sons. And she was not willing to be consoled, because they were no more.”

12/28/2023 (Thursday) Today’s gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Matthew 2:13-18

Picture this: a baby king, born not in a palace but in a humble stable. Then as a toddler, He needs to be evacuated to a faraway land because a jealous leader wants to kill Him. Moreover, as He began His ministry, the elders opposed His every move. It would not be too long before He was crucified to death.

That’s Jesus, whose story is told and retold through the ages. It is a story of rejection, opposition, and persecution. The Gospel reading above which is about the flight to Egypt is just one incident of injustice that Jesus had to suffer.

King Herod, driven by his insatiable greed for power, perceived Jesus as a threat to his rule. Because he could not find baby Jesus, he ordered the killing of innocent boys. So we can see that even in His infancy, Jesus faced the malevolent shadow of those who sought to extinguish His divine light. This early threat symbolizes the ruthless lengths some individuals go to maintain their hold on power.

Yet in the midst of persecution and suffering, the hand of God is working against the evil plots of men. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest hours, the forces of good and righteousness are at work, guiding the course of history toward a greater purpose.

Today, we witness leaders driven by jealousy and greed, willing to go to any lengths to retain power. Their actions may include the unjust taking of innocent lives. This brings us to an important question: Do we not feel anger towards such leaders who prioritize their ambitions over human lives?

Angry we may be but let us look up to Jesus. Despite what happened to Him, He preached love and kindness, helped the hurting, and spoke truth, even when it wasn’t popular.

The journey of Jesus, from humble birth to divine ministry, teaches us profound lessons about rejection, power, and the value of human life. As we navigate our own lives, let us draw inspiration from His story and strive to stand against injustice, value human life, and express gratitude to those who have sacrificed for our well-being. In doing so, we honor the legacy of the Savior who was born in a manger and the enduring message of love and compassion He brought to the world.

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