The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

Daily Scripture, August 29, 2018

The Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Scripture:

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18
Mark 6:17-29

Reflection:

Today we reflect on the Beheading of John the Baptist.  Beheading, a violent form of execution in any age, in the opinion of Herod’s wife was a sure method for silencing the voice of John the Baptist.  John the Baptist spoke truth Herodias did not want to hear.  As I reflect on today’s readings, I wonder how often I don’t want to hear the truth spoken in the Gospel message.

Do I really want to hear the truth spoken regarding peace and the message of non-violence?  Am I comfortable when I hear Jesus speak about riches and their relationship to my participation in the Kingdom of God?  When I truly understand the point regarding forgiveness of those who trespass against me do I cover my ears?  When Jesus says I must “take up the cross and follow Him” do I qualify his statement by trying to define my own cross on my own terms?  When Paul preaches Christ living in me and all creation do I think twice about my share of creation and what I do with my own “footprint” on this earth?

Whatever we say about Herodias and her leap to beheading John the Baptist, I think we have to admit that she was quite sincere and honest about her motive.  I’m not sure I can always say the same about myself.  When I am confronted with the truth of the Gospel, I think I sometimes participate in a “selective beheading”.  I choose which parts of the message to ignore, water down or simply re-frame on my own terms.

Herod traded the truth for a dance by Herodias’ daughter.  Am I trading the truth for convenience, comfort or the avoidance of sacrifice?  Like it or not, we probably all have a little of Herodias’ approach inside our hearts.

Today, I pray that God will give me at least some of the courage and strength of John the Baptist.  I also pray that I will be less selective and will truly begin to listen to the truth in the life and teachings of Jesus.

 

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

Ash Wednesday

On March 2, the Church celebrates Ash Wednesday. 

Most of us learned early in our Catholic lives that Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, and that is a time of special sacrifice in preparation for the Easter celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.

Dear brothers and sisters, every moment of our lives is a time for believing, hoping and loving…. These words of Pope Francis, taken from his Lenten Message of last year, 2021, and echoing the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, can still inspire our answer to the question: “What am I giving up for Lent?” 

We can draw our Lenten sacrifices out of our daily life: 

Share our faith in God’s presence by sharing in prayer with our family or with those in our parish community.
Share our hope in God’s promises by encouraging positive and respectful dialogue in our family circle and among our friends. 
Share the charity God has bestowed on us in the Passion of Jesus, with those whose sufferings are ignored or aggravated.

Let us pray for one another as we enter the season of Lent. Our Passionist “motto” can be our daily prayer during Lent, “May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.”