"Why the Reminder Now, O God?"

Why, O God,

are you reminding us

of the Holy Innocents

today?

Why, O God …

Why must we remember 

Holy Innocents again …

the beautiful children who were

ripped from their parents’ arms

at Herod’s command?

Why have you brought them

to mind?

Sigh… the thoughts

of these children

seem so misplaced

on this lovely morning.

It is 

less painful,

less sorrowful

for sure

for us to close 

our eyes

to them.

Is it because

there are still

Innocents today, O God?

In our own homes,

in our own streets,

in our own cities,

and at our own borders?

Nameless and named?

Is it because

there are still

Innocents today?

Hungry

and scared

and exhausted

and feeling hopeless?

Nameless and named?

Is it because

there are still

Innocents today?

Battered and bruised

in the very place

they call home …

confused and terrified

and facing separation

in the very place

they yearn to call home?

Nameless and named?

Why, O God …

Why must we remember

the Holy Innocents?

"Because, my child,

there are Innocents

in this world today,

and 

mothers weeping

 and

refusing to be

comforted.

There are still

Herods

 who

have both 

great power and

great fear

within them.”

“Amidst false claims

and misinterpretations

of my Words and Ways

and Love,

let me remind you ...

You did not learn 

this fear from me

nor did my Son

teach the slaughter

of the spirit 

and of the soul.

You must not forget

and you must not

look away."