Herod Massacred Boys in Bethlehem – Matthew 2:13-18

Translate to your Language

Today is Thursday, March 28, 2024

December 28 2023: Bible Verse of the Day for Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs – Herod Massacred Boys in Bethlehem – Matthew 2:13-18

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. Herod ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. – Matthew 2:13-18

Catholic Readings For Today

Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Today’s Morning Prayer

Today’s Bible Verse of the Day Reflections

Today on the fourth day of the Octave of Christmas, we are given a similar witness to the one we received on December 26, the Feast of the Martyrdom of St. Stephen.

But today’s feast presents the same evil in a different and even more tragic light. Here, out of envy and hatred, Herod had countless innocent children killed in an attempt to eliminate Jesus, the newborn King.

We can only imagine the grief that would have filled the town of Bethlehem and its vicinity as the soldiers went through killing those innocent children as their parents watched helplessly.

On one hand, it’s shocking to know that God permitted this. On the other hand, on a level of deep faith, we must strive to understand the witness that these innocent children gave.

Though this was an unspeakable crime and evil, from the perspective of eternity, it will be sorted out by God.

In Heaven and forevermore, these innocent victims will wear the martyr’s crown and will be honored by the angels and saints as the first witnesses to the newborn King.

Though this may not have eased the pain at the time, it certainly transformed the pain those families felt as they entered into the justice of Heaven.

Their witness reveals to us much about our own lives. It reveals that there are many times in life when things are simply not fair and not just.

The massacre of these innocent children is a powerful reminder of this fact. But one thing we must hold on to is that God will right every wrong in the end.

Today, we celebrate a solemn feast in honor of these children as a way of saying that God has transformed this tragedy into something glorious.

The same is true with each one of us. Whatever your “tragedy” may be, know that the Son of God entered our world, taking on our fallen human nature, so that He could make all things right.

Reflect, today, upon that which is most painful for you this Christmas season. Whatever it may be, you are invited to unite your hurt and pain today with the sorrow of the families who lost these little ones.

Let God do for you what He ultimately did for all of them. Let His Incarnation, death, and Resurrection transform your hurt into a crown of martyrdom. In the end, the Lord will be victorious in your life if you let Him.

Prayer: Lord, I surrender all hurt, pain, and confusion to You. I unite myself, this day, with the sorrow of those who lost these little children and I trust that their lives, as they reign now in Heaven with You, are a sign for me of things to come. Your birth into our world was the greatest sign that You are our Savior and that You can turn all things into good. Jesus, I entrust my life to You and know that You will right every wrong. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.

Bible Verse of the Day in Pictures

Herod Massacred Boys in Bethlehem - Matthew 2:13-18 - Bible Verse of the Day
Herod Massacred Boys in Bethlehem – Matthew 2:13-18 – Bible Verse of the Day

Powered By SEO Experts


Share This Readings Using ...

Subscribe to Receive Catholic Daily Readings Via Email

Subscribe

* indicates required

Daily Catholic Readings App Download

About Laban Thua Gachie 10721 Articles
The founder of Catholicreadings.org is Laban Thua Gachie. I am a Commissioned Lector, a commissioned Liturgy Minister, and a Commissioned member of the Catholic Men Association. We at Catholic Daily Readings, operate the catholicreadings.org, a Catholic Church-related website and we pride ourself in providing you, on a daily basis the following; 1. Catholic Daily Mass Readings 2. Reflections on those Daily Readings 3. Daily prayers 4. Bible Verse of the Day 5. Saint of the Day