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Monday, August 29, 2005

Meditation
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

“Work as if everything depends on you, and pray as if everything depends on God.” These words of wisdom from St. Augustine are really good advice as long as we don’t forget that we are powerless without God. We have all been given gifts and talents that God calls us to use to build up his kingdom. He has sent the Holy Spirit to guide us and assist us in this work. But in the eternal scheme of things, it is God’s sovereign, divine work in the world that ultimately accomplishes the work of salvation.

We see this truth played out in today’s first reading. No matter how well we use the talents God has given us, and no matter how fully we cooperate with the Holy Spirit to become holy men and women, it is God who raised his Son from the dead. It is God who gives us victory over death and glorifies our bodies. It is God who, despite all the sin in the world and the sin in our own hearts, makes it possible for us to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Today we recall the life and death of St. John the Baptist. What a great witness to the power of God’s involvement in the world! Still, John was a strange man. He lived in the desert, wore strange clothes, and ate bugs with honey. But as strange as he was, John worked hard at preaching his message of repentance. He was unrelenting in holding people accountable for their sins. Despite his unorthodox methods, he sparked a spiritual revival that prepared Israel for Jesus. Ever humble, even John knew that God was behind this great awakening. He never failed to insist that his was only a forerunner, a voice in the wilderness, and an instrument in the hands of the Lord.

Like John and like St. Augustine, we too should try our hardest to advance the kingdom of heaven even as we abandon ourselves to the providence and miraculous grace of God. The more we recognize God’s sovereignty and love, the more we will find ourselves acting like John, that is, like a true servant of a mighty and awesome God.

“Lord, I surrender all to you and to your mighty power working within me. Use me as you will to further your kingdom.”

Psalm 96:1,3-5,11-13; Mark 6:17-29

St. John the Baptist, pray for those troubled by the waters of the flood and storm.

One Bread, One Body

<< Monday, August 29, 2005 >>

Beheading of
St. John the Baptizer

Jeremiah 1:17-19

Psalm 71

Mark 6:17-29

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THE JOHN THE BAPTIST AWARD

“Stand up and tell them all that I command you.” —Jeremiah 1:17

At the monthly Mass for Presentation Ministries, the priest who celebrated Mass revealed his dream during the homily. He wants to see an annual award, called the St. John the Baptist Courage Award. It would be awarded to that Catholic bishop who has most courageously spoken out for the cause of pro-life. The “trophy” would be a silver platter, symbolizing both the courage St. John the Baptist displayed in continuously speaking out against Herod’s public adultery (Mk 6:18) and his resulting imprisonment and execution (Mk 6:28).

Such an award would be yet another encouragement for all of us, in every walk of life, to speak out against injustice and for the Lord. God tells us: “Whatever I command you, you shall speak...Stand up and tell them all that I command you” (Jer 1:7, 17). “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking and do not be silenced, for I am with you,” says the Lord (Acts 18:9-10). It’s as simple as this: there is legalized abortion in the USA because enough people who wanted abortion stood up and spoke out, while not enough people who opposed abortion spoke out.

Is the Lord calling one of you to make this dream a reality?

Prayer: Father, teach me “what to say and how to speak” (Jn 12:49).

Promise: “They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” —Jer 1:19

Praise: St. John the Baptizer spent years telling people to repent and live an austere life. Many people said he was mad (Mt 11:18). However, thousands of people repented.