Homily

I would like to deal with two points in today’s Gospel. The first is the slaughter of the innocent babies of the Bethlehem area by King Herod. This is a point often used by those who wish to attack the Faith. They say, “How is it that your God can allow the killing of these innocent children?” “Well, God did not kill those children. King Herod did.” “Yes, but God allowed it to happen.” “Well, it was King Herod who did it.” “How can you believe in a God who permits such evil?” All I can say is “King Herod.” So, I never understand this way of thinking. All of a sudden, the murderer is not the man who orders the killings, instead it is God. What? In the minds of some people a genuine God does not allow people to exercise free will but instead the Lord should step in and prevent them from doing evil. Hmmm. Maybe God should have given King Herod a heart attack before he could give his evil command to kill those children.

Okay, how about every time you’re going to lie to your boss or to your mom, God makes your tongue swell up for five minutes, so you can’t tell the lie. Evil is avoided. God is at work. You might not like it, but your boss or your mom would love it.

You’re going to shoplift a small item from a store but just as you reach for it your hands go limp and the Lord forces you to yell our loud, “I am a thief. Someone please stop me.” Evil avoided. God is at work.

A bus driver is starting his shift and he gets on the bus, but he is very drunk, and all his passengers are at risk. God makes him pass out before he starts driving. The ambulance comes and takes him away. Since he is pronounced drunk he loses his job, and his health insurance. His baby has a serious condition that cannot be treated well without insurance, and the bus driver’s family is soon living in poverty. More than that a lady on the bus was headed for the doctor, but once God had the bus driver pass out, it took over an hour for that bus to get another driver and the woman suffered a heart attack and died. Now who is responsible for the evils in this situation? Is it the bus driver, or God?

The problem of evil in the world, the free will for human beings and an all-loving God is a serious mystery, and one we cannot fully understand or comprehend. But let’s not allow ourselves to be moved by what I see as superficial, emotional arguments that want to blame God for the actions of men. And, that slaughter in Bethlehem was surely a great and horrible tragedy, just as the slaughter of millions of unborn children is a tragedy today right in front of our eyes. We use our free will and our prayers to do what we can to stop these modern murders, these murders that no enemy of the Faith will use in order to claim there is no God. Tell me what atheist will claim that the fact that so many abortions take place in our country every day is a proof that our God loves evil? The Father allows His own Son to become man and offer His life for us. Another proof of the wickedness of God?

But, dear friends, despite the evil of massacres both past and present, let us not forget that God never allows the innocent to be lost from His care, and that life in this world is not the only or the best life God has promised to those who are pure of heart. There is infinitely more life to be lived than just life in this world.

My second point today: Joseph and Mary had to flee from the evil of King Herod, no doubt looking over their backs from time to time to see if that evil was following them. In a certain sense we too are going through life with evils chasing after us as well. Who or what is after us? It could be the actions of other people. It could be the consequences of our own actions. If we cheat on our taxes the IRS might be on our trail. We might be followed by events that could harm us. Changes in the company I work for might mean I could lose my job. Natural troubles might be after us, such as health problems. Yes, it could even be pneumonia chasing us. In a certain sense as we go through life it may be true that King Herod isn’t after us, but there are other dangers and situations that are coming after us all the time, short-term, long-term, very serious and not so serious. So, if we look over our shoulder today what dangers do we see coming after us? What hardships and evils are we trying to escape from or keep clear of? What’s chasing us as we look over our shoulder? And let’s try to see it clearly if we want to try and avoid it, or deal with it in the best way possible. What dangers, problems, troubles and fears are chasing after us, and let’s not forget that behind them all is death, and death never gives up.

In addition to all the bad stuff potentially coming after us, I ask that we remember that there is only one absolutely good thing that is also chasing after us. And this one good thing never gives up, never goes away, never fades in intensity and is even more powerful and persistent than death. Actually, this one good thing is not chasing us from behind, but stands in front of us, hoping that we will run to Him, for His arms are open to us. Whatever troubles or evils we see coming after us when we look over our shoulder when we turn back to look ahead, He wants us to see Him. It is His greatest desire that we are not just running from trouble, but even so much more that we are running towards Him to receive life that never fails for those who embrace it. He knows what it is to be on the run from danger. He wants us to know what it is to offer you and me genuine hope, perfect safety and life-everlasting.