God gives his promises to us

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for the Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

Well, these readings are an interesting look at sin and redemption.

Our first reading declares multiple times that God wants to and will save us from sin, rescue us from the darkness, and bathe us in light — if we can just be honest and humble and admit the truth: We are sinners. Some still blame it on the “Adam and Eve and the serpent” story.

In any case, probably the one thing that is for sure is that we will trip and fall (that is, sin) today. For the most part, the sins are little and silly: petty jealousy, a little white lie, not too bad anger, an unwillingness to forgive.

But did we hear it? —

“We have an Advocate with the Father.”

If we just admit the truth and are open. The Father and his most holy Son will take care of us, rescue us, and love us always.

The Gospel story produces a perfect example of what not to do.

Poor King Herod.

Poor King Herod was jealous, and me thinks a very insecure guy. He set out to have Jesus killed for fear that Jesus would take away his kingship.

Then one of those busy angels revealed to Joseph in a dream that Herod was after his son, and that he and Mary and Jesus needed to flee to Egypt (does anyone see the irony in that?), and stayed there until Herod died.

But before Herod died and after hearing that the Magi who had visited Jesus had deceived him, Herod sinned big time. Rather than just admit that he had lost (that would have been truth-telling and living — even for Herod — in the light), he became furious and vengeful, and had all the baby boys 2 years and younger in Bethlehem and surrounding regions murdered.

Thus, we have this feast of the Holy Innocents, knowing that even in this dreadful death, for sure God gave those Holy Innocents an eternal love and the fullness of life forever. Did he? Could he ever forgive Herod? Those are questions that could be and probably have been debated since the events occurred.

Indeed, like Moses, another journey from Egypt would bring us to the promises God had and gave to his people and to us!