THE HOLY INNOCENTS
2. The Children.
How lovely and sweet appear those children, the first-fruits of martyrdom. Many think they are to be pitied, but seen in the eyes of faith how fortunate they are! Though newly born, they are already saints. The Church has canonized them and keeps their feast at Christmas-tide. Their innocent souls enjoy in Heaven the rewards assigned to innocence, but God gave them another and better life that none will ever be able to snatch from them. And why? Because they died for Jesus. They died in the place of Jesus and for His sake. That is the reason of their happiness as it is indeed the reason of every happiness. To work, to suffer, to sacrifice ourselves, even to die for Our lord: this is the only thing really worthwhile, the only thing that can make us happy now and for ever.
What would have become of those children, had they not died for Our Lord? They would probably not be saints, nor glorified with any crown. They might have become simple peasants, workers, shepherds, soldiers. Who knows they might even have become those very executioners who took part in the passion and death of Jesus. They might have become anything; but in fact see what they are now, just because they approached Jesus and His Holy Mother. How does Mary look upon them? Would She not keep within Her heart fond remembrance and affectionate gratitude towards those victims who took the place of Her Son? Could She ever forget them?
Reflect on it, and deeply imprint it on your heart. if you want Our Lady never to forget you, if you want Jesus to reward you, approach Him, love Him, suffer for Him, sacrifice yourself for His sake.
[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]
2. The Children.
How lovely and sweet appear those children, the first-fruits of martyrdom. Many think they are to be pitied, but seen in the eyes of faith how fortunate they are! Though newly born, they are already saints. The Church has canonized them and keeps their feast at Christmas-tide. Their innocent souls enjoy in Heaven the rewards assigned to innocence, but God gave them another and better life that none will ever be able to snatch from them. And why? Because they died for Jesus. They died in the place of Jesus and for His sake. That is the reason of their happiness as it is indeed the reason of every happiness. To work, to suffer, to sacrifice ourselves, even to die for Our lord: this is the only thing really worthwhile, the only thing that can make us happy now and for ever.
What would have become of those children, had they not died for Our Lord? They would probably not be saints, nor glorified with any crown. They might have become simple peasants, workers, shepherds, soldiers. Who knows they might even have become those very executioners who took part in the passion and death of Jesus. They might have become anything; but in fact see what they are now, just because they approached Jesus and His Holy Mother. How does Mary look upon them? Would She not keep within Her heart fond remembrance and affectionate gratitude towards those victims who took the place of Her Son? Could She ever forget them?
Reflect on it, and deeply imprint it on your heart. if you want Our Lady never to forget you, if you want Jesus to reward you, approach Him, love Him, suffer for Him, sacrifice yourself for His sake.
[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]
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