So much of our Christmas celebration is full of joy over the
birth of the Christ child: we share in the joy of the holy family, the joy of
shepherds and magi, and the angelic hosts singing “glory to God in the highest.”
And yet always looming has been the shadow of the Cross. Christmas is not simply about
how cute and cuddly Jesus was as a baby. It's about our dire and desperate need
for a Savior from sin, death, and hell.
We are reminded too, by this morning’s Gospel, the hostility
toward Christ even as a new born babe. Herod was “greatly troubled” when Magi
from the east came seeking the whereabouts of the newborn king of the Jews
whose star they had seen.
Herod tried to deceive the Magi, when he claimed he wished “do
homage” to the newborn king. When the
Magi did not return, Herod, infuriated, ordered the massacre of all boys in
Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old or younger. The Church honors these
Holy Innocents as martyrs for the faith.
They died for Christ
Herod’s extreme brutality and grasp for power at the threat
of the loss of his throne reminds us of the many Herods throughout history: those
who will stop at nothing to safeguard their own personal kingdoms. Christ came to convert the Herod’s of the
world, even the bit of Herod that is found in each one of us--the part of us
that refuses to give up our thrones. We must expose the Herods to the light of Christ's life and love.
We also recall today for all those Christians around the
world who continue to be persecuted for the name of Christ, innocents who are slaughtered
as the powers of sin and selfishness continue to manifest around the world.
Christmas is a time of great prayer for those parts of the
world and parts of our hearts which are still shrouded in darkness: and belief that
the radiance of the light of the Christ child can dispel all earthly wickedness
and selfishness, and our own call to be faithful in spreading that light, being
bearers of the light of God’s truth and goodness and beauty to the world for
the glory of God and salvation of souls.
- - - - - - -
This morning at 6:00am, the Holy See made public that Bishop
Lennon has been granted retirement as Bishop of Cleveland and Bishop Daniel
Thomas, Bishop of Toledo will serve as the Apostolic Administrator of the
Diocese until such time that the Holy Father makes a permanent appointment. Bishop
Lennon’s health has not been good for some time, in late November he requested
early retirement citing his ongoing health challenges. A full announcement is
available on the diocesan website and there will be a press conference at 10am.
Please keep Bishop Lennon, Bishop Thomas, and the Holy Father in your prayers,
as new leadership for the diocese is discerned.
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