Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist 2022

Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist 08-29-2022
Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist 2022
Mark 6:17-29 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082922.cfm

SPEAKING THE TRUTH IS WORTH A SACRIFICE.

The reading in today’s Gospel is about John the Baptist giving his life for his faith. Recall this past year when a gunman entered a church and murdered around ten of the faithful. They were having a bible study. Catholics and Christians worldwide are freely giving their lives for Christ. Many of them die rather than deny Jesus.

Today we celebrate the Passion of St. John the Baptist. John was put in prison by King Herod for speaking the truth. However, his call to repentance applied to everyone, even the king of the Roman Empire. He knew that Christ could not be a part of his life or anyone else’s without repentance. His conviction for this truth grew over his years of fasting and living without life’s necessities in the desert.

I must be honest. I don’t look forward to fasting or suffering the inconveniences of life. I imagine many of you don’t, either. We have so many comforts in America that the slightest change or sacrifice we must make can be upsetting. Some of us may feel that pinch at the gas pump or the grocery store.

When life throws us these challenges, let’s think of others before ourselves. Let’s offer our sacrifices as a prayer for people worldwide who are under terrible persecution for their faith. We may not be called to sacrifice our life for Jesus, but we can speak the truth graciously that Jesus is worth every bit of our inconvenience.

May St. John’s spirit grow in us that one day if we are called to be a martyr, we will have the courage and strength to endure.

IGNITE THE FIRE!

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