Sunday After the Nativity
In our world today, what happens when two (super)powers oppose each other?
If recent history gives us a clue, it’s war.
In our collective lifetimes, we’ve lived through WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the War on Terror.
Today’s reading is the story of two superpowers clashing: King Herod vs. the Son of God.
Though, unlike what we’ve come to expect with wars, only one side resorts to the violence. The other side purposely takes a nonviolent stance.
This is hard for us to swallow because the Holy Family’s choice to flee leaves 14,000 babies to be slaughtered by Herod.
Perhaps it’s a price too high to pay?
Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23 (click here to read)
Bottom Line: Through a weak baby, God shows he’s strong enough to overthrow evil.
Discussion Questions
- How do you understand evil? Why do you think God would allow such a world to exist?
- It takes great courage to stand up to the wrongs in this world. But, there are many people who have. Who are some of your heroes? How can you imitate them?
- Sometimes, it’s hard to trust that things will be OK in the end. How do you hold to God’s promise to set things right, even when that’s hard?
Moving Forward
The contrast between Christ and Herod couldn’t be more different.
Herod represents the logic of this fallen world: the stronger the better.
And, unfortunately, this creates grave injustices in the world: oppressed peoples and a lot of suffering … including the Holy Innocents.
The Bible’s explanation for suffering is that it’s a result of the fall, our free-will rebellion against God.
But, the Bible doesn’t give us the answer to why God allows it.
Instead, we get the story of how God deals with evil, and this story begins with the birth of Jesus.
This is what the quote from Jeremiah reminds us of, “There is hope for your future, says the Lord … I will satisfy the weary … “ (Jeremiah 31).
God redeems us by ‘trampling down death by death’ and we are set free.
No matter how much oppression and suffering we endure, it’s only temporary.
God has the last word and, so, we are challenged to live selflessly by relieving what suffering we can.
Changing Your Mind
“ … in order that there might be fulfilled what the Lord spoke through the prophet, saying, ‘I have called my son out of Egypt.’” (Matthew 2:15)
Christ is born.
Glorify him.
Still with.
Esther
Thank you, Esther! I pray you had a merry Christmas!
Fr. D.
“This is hard for us to swallow because the Holy Family’s choice to flee leaves 14,000 babies to be slaughtered by Herod.”
Interesting perspective. One knows that Jesus’ family flees, but I never really thought much about God fleeing and leaving thousands to be destroyed. O, what human beings do to each other.
Also it is good for us to remember that God does indeed have the last word. He won already. Lord, help us to remember that as we make our way through life.