Today, the liturgical color red represents the blood shed by the martyr John the Baptist as we commemorate his passion today. In the New Testament, John’s prophetic voice spoke for God in ancient Israel, preparing the way for our Lord Jesus Christ. He clashed with Herod, the highest-ranking governmental official of the region, calling him out for his unlawful marriage with Herodias, the daughter of one of Herod's brothers & the ex-wife of another brother.
Herod is puzzled by John. He feared John, but he also listened to him, seeing him as a holy, righteous man. Yet, Herod was willing to sacrifice the life of John the Baptist in order to maintain his own honor and power. Wanting to show the people his power and control, he ultimately showed what a weak leader he really was by having John put to death.
God’s message is silenced in different ways in our world today. It is up to us to provide the fertile ground for God’s word to grow in our lives and in the lives of others. In the midst of the reality of our lives , the word of God speaks to us in our own lives, wanting to take root. All of us can be messengers of God's word in what we say and do. We can bring God's word and God's love to others, no matter what our reality.
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