Commentary on the Gospel of
There is fort on hill near Bethlehem considered as the tomb of King Herod. In the same village there is stable where Jesus was born. Two different kings draw our attention: one was cruel, killed his mother, wife, sons and anyone who stood his way. At the climax of his cruelty, the infants shed blood for Jesus. He was king, but was engrossed in fear and takes the life of others. Herod accomplishes his slaughter, driven by his fear of losing his power and infuriated by the failure of his attempted deception of the Magi. “Herod!” says an early Christian writer, “you slay those little ones because fear in your heart slays you.” Fear of his own conscience and love for power within him targeted the innocents. And of course (because it is all about fear) he will pick the easiest target
On the other hand, the humble king is fearless and offers life eternal to the infants, the first to receive his gift of life. Innocents continue to suffer and shed blood today fears. True to be the imitators of a humble king, we must make sure that no innocents suffer, shed tears or blood on account of our fear, indifference or insensibility.
We see though this episode the readiness of God to protect the gift given to humankind throughout history: His own Son. But the Son of God is not preserved from pain, a reason for us to consider the future Easter event. Jesus is saved at this moment so that He can announce the Word in the future in order to give life when the time comes, while the protector is Joseph, a wise man, who knows how to listen (see Mt 1:20) and act accordingly.
