Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

Today's Mass Readings

Merry Christmas! Our Savior is Born! Guilt by association… those were the words that I used in my reflection for St. Stephen’s Feast Day a couple of days ago. The Deacon Stephen knew what could happen to him when he associated himself and professed a faith to the Christ. Today, we remember and honor some other martyrs. But these did not make a profession of faith, nor did they accept the terms—they weren’t old enough to. Their only guilt of association was that they looked like the child Jesus. That cost them their lives.

And so, St. Stephen, and today’s little saints, show us what it means, to put on the Christ, and to be Christ in the world we live in. And yet, amid this danger, amid this cost, Holy Mother Church, is still strong and still brings in those who want to be Christ and live as Christ in this world. Many of us were born into this faith, raised in this faith, and have accepted it. And we have allowed it to transform us. But our faith, too, encounters times of doubt, times of fear, and times of sacrifice. I will echo what I said earlier this week: this Christmas celebration is a reminder to us that we do not need to fear the cost because, with the newborn Christ, we have already won. We are victorious. So, let us proudly proclaim our guilt of association…to the Christ.

Reflection by Fr. Macario Martinez, OSB