Tuesday 28 December 2021
The Holy Innocents
1 John 1:5 – 2:2. Our soul has escaped like a bird from the hunter’s nest – Psalm 123(124):2-5, 7-8. Matthew 2:13-18.
The massacre of the innocents
Global deaths of children under-5 have dropped by 59% from 93 deaths per 1000 live births in 1990 to 38 in 2019. While this is good progress, there is still a marked difference in mortality rates across regions and countries, and even within countries. And this is only part of the picture. Too many children live in countries racked by violence, or do not have access to adequate housing, nutrition, health or education. Natural disasters destroy homes, while families are suffering losses in lives and livelihoods because of the COVID-19 pandemic. How then do we help the innocents in today’s world? Do we assuage our consciences with token gestures, or do we act authentically in every aspect of our lives to ensure the world’s children have what they need to grow and thrive? Let us pray for the courage to act practically and proactively to benefit all children.
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