Today’s memorial commemoration used to be referred to as the Martyrdom of John the Baptist, but the name has been changed to the Passion of John the Baptist, which is similar to the way we refer to the Passion Of Jesus. We think about how passionate John the Baptist is in proclaiming the Kingdom of God and in paving the way for Jesus. One of my professors in seminary, and many other Old Testament Scripture scholars, believe that John the Baptist was raised in the community of the Essenes, that mystical Jewish community that lived near the Dead Sea, the same community that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls. John’s lifestyle and message fits into the style of that community. John was the last in the line of the prophets who brought God’s message to the people of Israel and who were precursors for Jesus’ life and ministry.
King Herod had a lot of respect for John the Baptist. He knew that John was a righteous man. But, Herod feared John the Baptist because he knew that John preached the truth. Speaking the truth and remaining steadfast to his mission cost John the Baptist his life. The prophets of our Christian faith today have the same courage and tenacity. We hear Pope Francis being very bold and courageous in the way he is challenging the secular world today.
May we all be able to emulate John the Baptist in the way we live out our faith. May we boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives through our words and our actions, in truth and in love. At some point, all of us will have to pay a cost for our faith. May we be not afraid to do so.
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