The final Sunday of 2014 falls on an uncomfortable Feast Day, the Holy Innocents.

Sung Mass at 10.45am, 28th December.

Setting: Missa L’Hora Passa Viadana

Motet: The Coventry Carol Trad.

The Propers.

INTROIT. Ex ore infantium. Ps. 8. Out of the mouth of very babes, O God, and of sucklings hast thou perfected praise: because of thine adversaries. Ps. ibid. O Lord our Governor: how excellent is thy Name in all the world. V. Glory be.

GRADUAL. Ps. 124. Our souls escaped: even as a bird out of the snare of the fowler. V. The snare is broken and we are delivered. Our help standeth in the name of the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Ps. 113. Praise the Lord, ye children: O praise the Name of the Lord. Alleluia.

OFFERTORY. Ps. 124. Our soul is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of the fowler: the snare is broken and we are delivered.

COMMUNION. St. Matt. 2. In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping, and great mourning; Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

(A personal comment – RB.) Whether the killing of infants in Bethlehem by King Herod is fact or myth, the Church and the World have abused and hurt the innocent and childlike for too long, and caused women to grieve. Equality may help, but, as history shows, women with power can be ruthless too, as John the Baptist would find out 30 years later. Only the just and gentle rule of Jesus Christ can give us hope to do better.