Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

“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. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod realized that he had been deceived 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 he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: 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.” -Matthew 2:13-18
 
I read this passage and think, how horrible. I see the effects of selfishness and greed on the soul of a leader, corrupting it to commit horrendous crimes against God and His creation.
 
Then, I look at the present and see the effects of unrepentant sin gone unchecked through the centuries. Yes, political leaders still fear the loss of their power, but the enemy has perverted their sin beyond human imagination. No longer do politicians call for soldiers to murder the innocent. The order is given, and mothers and fathers kill their babies by the millions. The perversion is so twisted that the rulers now use the greed and selfishness of their constituents to demand the destruction of the innocents—all to maintain their earthly power and wealth. 
 
May those who wish to destroy innocence be called to the Christ child in the manger. May He enter their hearts and burn the scale from their eyes. May they see true treasure, and may their souls desire to build wealth, not in this life but for the next. May God have mercy on all our souls. Amen
 
The Holy Innocents, pray for us.
 
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Jesus, I trust in you.