When any and all of us awoke this
morning, none could have imagined the horrible news that twenty small children
and six of their guardians and teachers in their school would lose their lives
at the hands of a mentally deranged young man.
Yet I am reminded that none of us who prepare for the day know what it
will bring. In our Book of Common Prayer, we do have a Collect that reminds us of God’s
constant presence in the changes and chances of this life.
The
Prayer Book also reminds us that there is a similar event shortly after the
birth of Jesus. King Herod, one with a
classic case of paranoia, heard from the sages of the East that a newborn King
now was in Bethlehem, attested by a star in heaven which guided them to that
place and person.
As
the sages left, Herod determined that all male children under two years of age
were to be slaughtered, just to be sure that there would be no challenge to his
power. Soldiers went to Bethlehem and
carried out the orders.
In
a dream, God directed Joseph to flee from this insane wrath. Joseph obeyed this warning. God had a specific purpose and plan for this
child.
Yet
many grieving parents remained in Bethlehem, having no idea why Herod ordered
that their child should be murdered. For
some, the boy was the firstborn—the one to carry the name of the family and to
inherit the privileges and responsibilities of the family.
The
parents cried out: Why? And so do those
in Newtown, Connecticut this day. So do
many of us in this nation. We have asked
this question so many other times in national life. Why did the events occur on September 11th? Why was Dr. King assassinated? Why was President Kennedy assassinated? The list of questions is endless. Only in the Greater Life will we know why—and
then, it will not really matter, as we are in the presence of God, the source
and end of all Wisdom. Death will be
swallowed up in victory.
Yet
we walk this course on earth and bear the burden of this day, and the sadness
over the loss of innocent lives in Newtown.
In our calendar, on December 28th, we observe the Day of Holy
Innocents. The Church’s Collect of the Day is how I pray this day:
We
remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King
Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms
of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the
designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of
the Holy Spirit,, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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