December 28, 2004 Daily Prayer with Regnum Christi





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So that the virtue of charity may reign supreme in all our workplaces.





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Tears and Hope



December 28, 2004
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Father Ernest Daly, LC

Matthew 2:13-18
When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child, to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed for Egypt, and stayed there until the death of Herod, that what had been said through the prophet might be fulfufilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son." When Herod realized that he had been decieved by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time that he had assertained rom the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through the prophet Jeremiah: "A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; and she would not be consoled, since they were no more."

Introductory Prayer:Lord, I know you are near my heart. I want to learn to trust you more today. This Christmas is a special time of your grace and love, yet it is also a challenge for me to love more. Thank you for taking the risk of getting involved in human history in order to show me that you identify with our human suffering and yet can draw good out of evil.

Petition: Father, may evil be an invitation for me to do good, as it was for your Son.

1. Why Do the Nations Rage Against God’s Anointed? Herod feels threatened by the presence of this new king. His insecurity is covered up in cruelty. Yet, he does not need to fear this new king, since Jesus is here to help him and not to take his power away. Christ comes looking for the salvation of Herod and of all souls. This surprising Messiah is poor and weak, vulnerable. He seeks only to reign in our hearts. But often in our personal lives and in our society we seem to fear Christ again. We are afraid he will ask us to surrender too much. Am I working to help others discover that Christ deeply loves them, and does not want to make them slaves but free?

2. Rachel Is Heard Weeping for Her Children.Rachel weeps again today. How deeply we feel the cruelty of this modern culture that has made children expendable and has wounded our society’s greatest treasure: the maternal love of women for children. Do I strive to promote a culture where women and men will not have to weep about the abortion of their unborn child, where they will rediscover the power of their heart to heal the legacy of sin and cruelty? Do I strive to treat all women with great respect and charity?

3. Your Tears Will Turn to Joy. Our Holy Father reminds us that evil is also an invitation for Christians to do good, like Christ. Christ does not want evil and death, yet his power is shown especially in his weakness. His presence, his taking on all the sadness of this valley of tears, his triumph over sin and death, will give these children back to their mothers one day. Do I know how to be close to those who suffer like Christ? Do I find creative ways to restore their confidence and help to alleviate their sorrow? My compassion and charity, my sacrifice and service, are powerful ways to witness to the Resurrection. These virtues also stir me to do all I can to make this world a place where people can better find God’s love.

Dialogue with Christ: Lord, often I feel helpless before the evil and cruelty of the culture of death. Many times my heart is paralyzed by fear. Help me to see that you can do wonders through me when I trust in your resurrection and use this short time on earth to witness to the good news about your love for all people.

Resolution: I will make a special sacrifice in charity today.


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