Dear Readers,
I know that it has been a month since I’ve blogged. I’m sorry, I just have a lot going on. The lockdown has been interesting to navigate (I will share a graphic so you can see what we basically have been doing)… And next week – if all goes well, School will start back up. YAY! That adds another layer of fun.
The numbers are high and they didn’t want to open everything back up. Sigh.
Pray that we actually do go back to Yellow on the 7th.
The graphic above is a very simplified version. Basically, they want to limit everyone’s exposure by not allowing big family feasts, etc. Sigh. For us, we were basically prepared. As with Thanksgiving, we had purchased all we needed just in case we were locked down (and we were). The good news is, we have plenty to eat, and had a small Christmas. And life is good. You know?
I do have some goals in 2021. A small plan – that is flexible. I’m not sharing it because whenever I do, I honestly never seem to get to it. Pray for me. LOL Today, we mourn the innocent loss of babies and we hold in esteem all who died in Herod’s brutal search for Our Lord. As usual, I got my Gospel Reflection email from Catholicmom.com and started reading the reflection… which sounded familiar… you know, because I wrote it. HA! Boy – how sad that I couldn’t remember that I had one more for this year.
Let me get to it and share it with you, because if I do say so myself (and I do), it’s pretty good. Of course, let me know what you think…
Daily Gospel Reflection – December 28, 2020
Today’s Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18 – Feast of the Holy Innocents
Poor King Herod, and all his scribes and chief priests. What weak men they were at heart. They knew that God was powerful and that the prophecies of old were coming true. They were so scared that the coming of the Messiah (Jesus) would ruin their way of life, they schemed up a plan to have all children under the age of two killed in and around Bethlehem.
I read that the slaughter of these innocents was the first time, in recorded history, that we see conflict between Christianity and politicians. Sadly, in our world today, the story of hatred and irrational cruelty is the same one playing out — in the murder of innocent babies through abortion; the murder of people with disabilities and the elderly through euthanasia or assisted suicide; and the systematic removal of Christian values/morals from every aspect of society by people who hate and fear God and His Church.
The good news is, God had a plan for the Holy Family, as He does for our lives. Jesus lived! And He’s alive in us.
Our Catholic Christianity demands that we value life from conception to natural death. We are called to be bold and brave in our faith and walk as Jesus did. It is rarely easy and we often feel helpless to change things. But in our heart of hearts, we know that we cannot let past, present, or future Innocents die in vain.
And so, in the name of the Innocents and martyrs before us, following Christ’s example: We feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick and imprisoned, ransom the captive, and bury the dead.
In these ways, we help God triumph over evil.
Ponder: What do I need to do to trust God’s plan for me to reach out to innocents and martyrs walking in this world?
Pray: Dear Lord, help me put aside my fear and anxiety and help me emanate You and Your love to all. Please lovingly correct me when I fail to see Your plan. Amen.
As I was reading my devotion in the Magnificat, I realize that in my past I have been complicit in horrid sin. And I’m so thankful that God is forgiving, even when I can’t be every day. You know? God has a plan for us dear Readers. Trust Him. TRUST HIM!
Have a great Monday! Happy 4th day of Christmas.
And come back soon because, today, I’m writing.
Love, Hugs & Blessings,
LadyEm
LadyEm ~ Under Mary's Mantle 