The Holy Innocents

Yesterday, the church commemorated The Holy Innocents, the victims of Herod's infanticide chronicled in the Gospel according to Matthew. You remember the story? The wise men stopped by to as directions. Herod started feeling paranoid and ordered his soldiers to kill all male children two years old and younger.

OK - so there are some problems with the story. First, there is no historical record that corresponds to this incident. You'd think that if someone was killing babies in Bethlehem, there would have been some evidence of it. Second, if they were wise and they were men, why would they be asking directions? Really? I can believe the part about Herod feeling paranoid - there is evidence of this in history.

Matthew may have heard this story circulating. It certainly sets up the prophetic fulfillment of calling Jesus out of Egypt. Matthew's Gospel has a strong focus on Jesus being the fulfillment of prophecy. Who knows where the story came from, but it is part of the canon and so we continue to read/hear it.

I think the story is timeless. Whether it is historically-based or not doesn't change the effect of it. Innocent victims happen all around us and have since the beginning of history. I think Rene Girard's work developing the concept of mimetic rivalry as the origins of violence and competition are dead on. We fear what we do not understand and act against that which challenges us or of which we are jealous. The murder of Abel recounted in Genesis is the first biblical example of this that I know of.

Throughout human history, we have had slaughter of innocents. I think it's important that we retain and commemorate The Holy Innocents. They establish a baseline of atrocity and horror that we always remind us of our cruelty and fallen-ness as we consider the The Holy Innocents of modern time. Just consider the realities of the Holocaust, genocides happening around the world, suicide bombings, terrorist attacks, and mass shootings. We are broken, we fall short of God's desires for us. Even in our un-holy state, God still showers grace upon us. God still wants to be in relationship with us. God still loves us, even those who perpetrate such horrible and tragic events.

That even though we reject God's love and care for us, God still loves us and can forgive us is something that helps me to understand what love really is all about.

A First Post...

OK, time to finally make the first post. After all, the blog was created back in October.

I've been feeling pulled/tugged to reflect on life. I'm a parish priest and encounter lots of situations in my daily life that cause me to reflect theologically on them. Events happening around the world pique that interest as well. How are we supposed to live into our fullest relationship with God when we can't even get along with each other? This is what I've intended to write on...

... but I've been pretty distracted of late. That has a lot to do with the fact that we've started doing the Breast Cancer Tango in our house. It's taken on a life of its own and we're not done yet.

My better half (yes, really) has her own business and a Ph.D. in molecular biology. Let's call her "Doc". She found a very small lump at the beginning of October. Off to Ob/Gyn for review, then mammogram. Next ultrasound and biopsy. Yes, it's cancer. So, both of us had been paddling our canoe on a river in Egypt, but no more. Now we have to deal with Doc's "alien invader."

Long story short, it's now the end of December. The "alien invader" has been removed. As they used to say on some game show, "But, there's more!" Genetic testing has been ordered, as has tumor typing. The margins aren't clean. There are also areas of DCIS, known as Stage-0 cancer. Both of these causing concern and lack of clarity on a path forward.

A few weeks ago, Doc asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I said, "The only thing I really want is a happy and healthy partner." It really is true. With all of the angst and worry that we've been through in the last three months, the bright side is a deepened relationship. As Doc said last night, "It's like being newlyweds, only better." I couldn't agree more.

I'll update this saga periodically. In the mean time, maybe i can get this blog back on track.
Peace.