Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082926.cfm
Today we commemorate the beheading of St. John the Baptist, the precursor to Jesus
John the Baptist is cousin to Jesus Christ. John is the son of Saint Elizabeth. Even from the time when Elizabeth and Mary met at the visitation, John, in Elizabeth’s womb, was leaping for joy at the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb. He knew, even in the womb, that Jesus was present.
Years later when John was baptizing in the Jordan River, he saw Jesus approach and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.” These are familiar words that we, as Catholics, hear at every Mass as he holds up the consecrated host.
John’s whole life was to tell people to turn away from sin and point them towards Jesus Christ. He was not afraid to speak the truth, even if it got him in trouble.
In today’s gospel from Mark John was not afraid to tell of the sinfulness of Herod in committing adultery with his brother’s wife. This cost John his life.
John’s whole life was to live in God’s presence, and was never afraid to speak the truth, even if it meant loosing his life.
We are, in on our own vocations as Christians, called to be like John the Baptist. We need to be always willing to point people towards Jesus as true God and true man. And we are to always speak the truth that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Furthermore, we need to be brave enough to let people know when they are sinning, even if it means that it’ll cause us problems or issues with the people we love.
Let us pray to the Lord to have the courage of John the Baptist to bring others to Christ.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteAMEN. I agree that like St. John the Baptist we are witnesses (one interpretation of the word "prophet" is "witness", & martyrs are witnesses, too) of the Most High GOD to prepare the way for others to receive the LORD into their hearts & lives. St. John the Baptist was sent to "go before the LORD to prepare the way for His coming IN HISTORY. We are sent to go before the LORD to prepare for His coming into their individual hearts & lives. A long time ago I waa struck by this as I was praying the CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH in Morning Prayer. These words are the words of Zechariah, the father of St. John the Baptist & the husband of Our Lady's cousin Elizabeth when St. John the Baptist waa born & when he was being named & Zechariah's ability to speak was restored after confirming that his son would be called "JOHN".
We prepare the way of the LORD by the way we live & the way we treat others & share our faith.