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Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:15-17
Psalm 54 (antiphon: v. 4)
New Testament: Revelation 14:1-5
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

"A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children" (Jer. 31:15). Herod rages and sends to kill all boys two years and younger (Matt. 2:16), desperate to destroy the newborn King of kings. The Church remembers these innocent victims as martyrs. They died for the One who came to die for them. This dark commemoration bears witness to the cruelty of sinful men and the world's hatred of Christ who has sanctified our fragile life even from His conception and birth. But the boy who escaped Bethlehem's bloody streets unscathed went on to face thorns, nails and spear for them and for us. He is the Lamb whose name is written with the Father's name on the foreheads of His baptized saints (Rev. 14:1). By His death He has redeemed an inheritance for Himself and brought peace at last by His blood. On the fourth day of Christmas, we sing "the new song" of the Lamb, of Christ the true martyr, whose death testifies that our redemption is won. We "follow the Lamb wherever He goes" (Rev. 14:4), for He will bring our tears to an end.