The Fourth Day of Christmas

Happy Fourth Day of Christmas!

Today is the Day of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs. The infant martyrs commemorated on this day were the children of Bethlehem, two years old and younger, who were killed by Herod, who worried that his reign was threatened by the birth of a new king. Augustine called these innocents "buds, killed by the frost of persecution the moment they showed themselves." Those linked to Jesus through their youth and innocence encounter the same hostility Jesus encounters later in his ministry. (From Sundays and Seasons Year C 2013, published by Augsburg Fortress)


If you want to read about the Holy Innocents, head to Matthew 2:16-18. 

As much as this story is a "downer" in the midst of Christmas, it serves as a reminder that Jesus was born into the real world, a world full of beauty and love, yes, but also full of danger and sin. Perhaps it can inspire us to offer blessing and care to the "Holy Innocents" of our times and places.

Reflection on today's sermon

The Gospel lesson for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost is Matthew 16:13-20.
Have you been thinking at all about how you would answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?"
Or about what you might say if someone asked, "What is it you believe?"
What follows is one of the songs we sang quite a bit at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp during the week CtK types were there back in July. And if we'd had music for it (instead of just the guitar chords) perhaps I would have chosen it for one of our songs in worship today. Perhaps the lyrics can serve as a prayer for you this week, and help you think about who Jesus is in your life.

You are holy.
You are mighty.
You are worthy,
worthy of praise.
I will follow. 
I will listen.
I will love you
all of my days.

I will sing to and worship the King who is worthy.
I will love and adore him. I will bow down before him.
You’re my Prince of Peace and I will live my life for you.

You’re the Lord of lords, You’re the King of Kings, you are mighty God, Lord of everything.
You’re Emmanuel. You’re the Great I Am. You’re the Prince of Peace who is the lamb.

You’re the living God, You’re my saving grace, You will reign forever. You are Ancient of Days.
You are Alpha, Omega, beginning and end. You’re my Savior, Messiah, Redeemer and friend.
You're my Prince of Peace and I will live my life for you.

A Comic Commentary on Last Sunday's Gospel

I subscribe to this lectionary comic, Agnus Day, and get an email from them every week. Sometimes they're pretty funny.

This is the one sent last week, for Transfigureation Sunday, which was this past Sunday. Enjoy!

That’s just so like Jesus. He always has to be the last word. – Comment on this comic
Agnus Day

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." --Matthew 17:1-9