1 John 1:5 - 2:2 / Matthew 2:13-18
Most of us have fond memories of our childhood days.
We may recall those slow and easy days of our growing up years when we were in the sun most of the time and we made toys from our own simple creativity.
In that aspect we can consider ourselves really fortunate.
Because when we read in the papers or see in the tv of the turmoil going on in the other countries, we are immediately confronted with the fact of how vulnerable children are.
In fact, in times of war or conflict, or even in tragedies or disasters, children are the first to suffer, whether the persecution is direct or indirect.
So it was in the time of Jesus, when Herod out of his insecurity and insanity, ordered the massacre of infants of Bethlehem.
And this senseless brutality continues to this day.
It continues in the political, racial and religious conflicts.
It has even happened at home in the form of child abuse, not forgetting abortion, where the fetus is regarded as a thing.
The feast of the Holy Innocents remind us that it is our duty to protect the rights and dignity of children, just as Mary and Joseph protected the helpless Jesus.
The children are our future. They need our love and protection.
And in the not-so-far-away future, they will be the ones who will show us God's love and protection.