Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Homily: Dec 28 2016 - Holy Innocents, Marytrs - Dispelling the darkness



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.


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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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