The first reading: Jeremiah (Jer 1:17–19).
The responsorial psalm: Psalm 71, with the response: “My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.”
The Gospel is taken from :Mark (Mk 6:17–29).
The girl hurried back to the king and made her request: “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet because of his oath and his guests, he did not wish to break his word. Immediately he sent a soldier of the guard with orders. The soldier went and beheaded John in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.
What are we going to die for? Today we recall how John the Baptist gave his life, his very head, for the truth. He was martyred because he fearlessly proclaimed what was right: that Herod’s union with Herodias was unlawful. For this boldness, Herodias conspired through her daughter Salome, and Herod, though reluctant, gave the command.
John the Baptist refused to compromise. If the price of truth was his head, then let it be so. He would not sugarcoat, he would not remain silent, he would not seek favor by keeping quiet. For him, truth was truth, and evil was evil, no matter who committed it.
This challenges us today: What is it that you would give your head for?
Some will give their lives for love.
Some for money, for country, for power, for honor.
Others will do anything to save their lives, refusing to die for any cause.
But John teaches us that there is nothing more honorable, more dignified, than to give our lives for Christ, for truth, for justice, for the values of the Gospel.
How often have we chosen silence rather than truth, to protect ourselves, to preserve friendships, or to keep benefits flowing? How often have we allowed evil to thrive because we did not want to risk “losing our heads”?
The world still cries, “Give me the head of…”
They want your head if you speak truth.
They want your head if you defend justice.
They want your head if you oppose corruption and evil.
They want your head if your witness challenges their comfort.
And yet, Christ tells us:
“Whoever would save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it for eternal life.”
God bless you
Pal Ronnie
No comments:
Post a Comment