Holy Innocents

I remember when my young friend John died – in a car wreck.

I remember rushing to the hospital to join his parents and grandparents.

I remember praying the last prayers he’d ever hear.

I remember presiding over the packed funeral - where we all brushed up against the elephant in the room - who was wearing a huge T-shirt that said; ‘Why God?’

Parents aren’t supposed to bury their kids – they’re not supposed to make coffins that small - where’s the justice?  Where’s God?

Every December Christians commemorate the Feast of the Holy Innocents.  It’s based on a Bible story about jealous King Herod.  In an effort to eliminate the newborn baby Jesus, King of the Jews, Herod ordered a mass slaying of all children 2 years old and younger.  It is a story of dubious provenance, yet one that is true regardless of whether or not it ever happened – because every day you and I witness to the same thing – the slaughter of the innocents.

Our world abounds with flagrant and unspeakable injustices – evil tyrants who murder, bosses who cheat, spouses who betray, close family members who insult and backstab.  Our losses drive us to lament like the mothers of the Innocents as quoted by the prophet Jeremiah;

“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping.  Rachel… refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”

Our misery consumes us.  There is no daylight.  We wait for the dawn to break –and when it does we wonder:  But are they really ‘no more?’  Might there be a purpose?  Might there be a Presence somehow lingering, preparing, and pointing?

Jeremiah continues “Thus says the LORD: Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for there is a reward… they shall come back from the land of the enemy; there is hope for your future.”

My friends, what has been taken shall be restored.  What has been wronged shall be righted.  What has been lost shall be found. 

What are we grieving today?  What stolen innocence is stewing inside of us?  The Lord says we will be restored, things will be made right.  Can we put it in Jesus’ hands?  Can we move toward living as if this were true?  Can we accept His peace – and walk in the confidence that through it all, God is with us?

Reading

God is Not Good - Christopher Hitchens
The Liturgical Year - Joan Chittister
Crush It! - Gary Vaynerchuk