Today's feast is inspired by the events recorded in the Gospel According to Matthew that tell of King Herod's rage when he discovered that the Magi had returned by a different route and not returned to tell him the location of the newborn King of the Jews.  Jealous of a rival to his throne, he ordered the execution of all male children under the age of three.  Their deaths are the first blood shed on behalf of Our Lord. Their death is also innocent; their only 'crime' is having been born around the time of the birth of Our Lord and living in Judea around Jerusalem.  

Herod's insecurity coupled with his vicious and violent temper ordered the massacre of these young boys to try to eliminate any rival to his power and title as King of the Jews. We know that despite his best efforts, violent and evil, the power of God triumphs for the true King of the Jews will survive and ultimately reign from His throne on the wood of the cross. Though the original Holy Innocents may have only been a handful to no more than a couple dozen given the demographics of the population around Jerusalem, it is not the numbers that count, for every innocent life unjustly killed is an offense against God. Similarly, we are mindful of the thousands, hundreds of thousands today who are unjustly killed while within their mothers' wombs through the sad reality of abortion on demand in our modern era.  It is not the insecurity of a cruel and mad king, but the altar of human freedom and personal choice on which these innocent souls are slaughtered in imitation of the victims of today's feast.  

Little Audrey reminds us that every life is precious, within the womb, and with every breath afterward.  She never held a job, or attended formal school, or even attended her parish church on a regular basis, but she touched thousands by the witness of her life.  She inspired countless more by the example of her life that every life is precious, sacred and valuable to God and therefore should be to all of us. 

While the Supreme Court decision of 1973 has been overturned, as we approach it's 50th anniversary, we recognize that the greater need is is to change hearts.  Many are more determined since the reversal of this Supreme Court decision than ever before to memorialize it in law.  Let us pray and advocate strongly for the sacredness of every human life that the horror of the massacre of today's feast may not continue to be repeated in our modern times. May the example of Little Audrey inspire us and her prayers help us to promote and secure that every life may be honored as sacred.