Victimized Children That children who are victims of abandonment or violence may find the love and protection they need.
Prepare the Savior's Coming That Christians, enlightened by the Word incarnate, may prepare humanity for the Savior's coming.
The Holy Innocents, martyrs - Feast
Commentary of the day
Saint Cyprian (c.200-258), Bishop of Carthage and martyr
Letter 55
“The servant is not greater than his lord” (Jn 15,20)
The Apostle John said: “Whoever says he abides in Christ, ought to walk even as Christ walked” (1Jn 2,6). Moreover, the blessed Apostle Paul exhorts and teaches us, saying: “We are God's children; but if children, then heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him that we may also be glorified together” (Rm 8,16f.)... Let us, beloved brethren, imitate righteous Abel, who initiated martyrdom, he being the first to be slain for righteousness' sake (Gn 4,8)...; let us imitate the three children Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, who... overcame the king by the power of faith (Dn 3)... What of the prophets whom the Holy Spirit quickened to a foreknowledge of future events? What of the apostles whom the Lord chose? Since these righteous men were slain for righteousness' sake, have they not taught us also to die?
The nativity of Christ at once witnessed the martyrdom of infants, so that they who were two years old and under were slain for his name's sake. An age not yet fitted for the battle appeared fit for the crown. That it might be manifest that they who are slain for Christ's sake are innocent, innocent infancy was put to death for his name's sake... How grave is the case of a Christian, if he, a servant, is unwilling to suffer when his Master first suffered...! The Son of God suffered that he might make us sons of God, and the son of man will not suffer that he may continue to be a son of God!... The Maker and Lord of the world also warns us, saying: “If the world hate you, remember that it hated me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world... remember the word that I said to you: “The servant is not greater than his lord” (Jn 15,18-20).