The Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Scripture:
Jeremiah 1:17-19
Mark 6:17-29
Reflection:
Today we remember the beheading of John the Baptist, who died as a martyr for the truth he preached to those around him. With the horrific events occurring now in the world around us, I find it difficult to think about John the Baptist so many years ago. Yet the common thread over the years is that martyrs still die making choices every day. At the heart of our lives, in the midst of the signs of our times, we all make choices in every present moment which impact our lives and the lives of others.
The choices we have before us are not mysterious or complex. The choices in the present moment are simple and clearly flow from the river of God’s love and compassion within our hearts, preached by Jesus in the gospels and affirmed in creation and in the world’s religious approaches to God.
We choose:
Love over hate.
Inclusion over exclusion.
Friendship over enmity.
Compassion over cruelty.
Sharing over selfishness.
Love over all.
John the Baptist made his choice and suffered the consequences. Jesus made his choice and suffered the consequences. What consequences am I suffering for what choices?
The question is clear. I must reflect and pray today over the answer.
Terry McDevitt, Ph.D. is a member of our Passionist Family who volunteers at the Passionist Assisted Living Community in Louisville, Kentucky.