• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Online Masses
    • Passionist Online Masses and Services
  • 300th Jubilee
    • Opening Mass of the Passionist Jubilee Year
    • Video: 300th Jubilee – English
    • Video: Jubileo Pasionista – Español
    • Jubilee Icon Itinerary
    • Jubilee Resources
    • Jubilee Song
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Passionist Magazine
      • Passionist Magazine, Spring 2020
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Haiti
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Nicholas Divine, CP, Ordination to the Diaconate
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
      • Reunions
      • 2019 Passionist Alumni Reunion
      • Welcome
      • Letter from the Provincial
        • These Men We Call Our Brothers
      • Mission Statement
      • CrossRoads Bulletin
      • Alumni Enrollment Form
        • Alumni Survey
      • Reunion Photo Gallery
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

Daily Scripture, August 29, 2011

The Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist

Scripture:

Jeremiah 1:17-19
Mark 6:17-29

Reflection:

Today we recall the story regarding the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist.  The movie versions of this story always spend a disproportionate amount of time on the dancing skills of Herodias’ daughter, the gleaming blade of the executioner, and the grizzly dinner party scene with Saint John’s head on a platter.

The evident point of the story, if you limit the time you spend reflecting on the details, is that if you stand up for the truth as God wills, you might not be the most popular guest at a dinner party!  However, if you boldly proclaim the word of God, you will be blessed!  In fact, according to the verse from Matthew in the Alleluia proclamation today, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven."

I find myself asking today, how many times have I been persecuted for the "sake of righteousness?"  I fear it hasn’t happened very often!  I wonder how many of us have ever been persecuted for standing up and proclaiming gospel values.  Not many of us will find ourselves in a drama like the one in today’s gospel, but all of us at some time will have opportunities to "stand up for the sake of righteousness."

Today’s feast at once seems to be both a tribute to the faith of Saint John the Baptist and a prophetic reminder of what true faith can lead us to; the foot of the Cross!  As Christians we certainly are called to stand up for righteousness.  The story of John the Baptist should make us uncomfortable, knowing the consequence of proclaiming our faith in word and action.  The story should also inspire confidence.  In the words of today’s reading from Jeremiah, "They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord."

 

Terry McDevitt, Ph.D. is a member of our Passionist Family who volunteers at the Passionist Assisted Living Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Footer

Facebook Feed

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2021 | Log in