By Vicky Lamin Gayang, CSC –
Readings: 1Thes 3: 7- 13; Mk 6: 17- 29
Today the Church commemorates the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. His simple lifestyle, his life of detachment and his total trust in God’s Providence are an example for us to follow and imbibe in our daily life as believers of Christ. St. John served and obeyed God in humility and remained faithful to the mission in preparing the way for the coming of Christ. He was a person who never complained and always did God’s work joyfully.
Jesus loved John very much and he said many good things about him. But I kept wondering, why Jesus did not really do anything for John when he was facing troubles, difficulties and problems. Jesus could have visited him in prison, done something to free him or just gone there to tell him what he told to everyone else, “Don’t be afraid, I am with you”.
Surprisingly, Jesus did nothing of this kind. However I came to realise that it was all God’s plan for him. John suffered and died not as a martyr of justice but as a martyr of love. Moreover, he died not because he refused to deny Christ but because he refused to deny the truth. He always stood for the truth and spoke the truth.
Therefore, St. John the Baptist is our Christian model after whom we should all aspire. Like him we are called today to always speak the truth, for the truth shall set us free.
May St. John the Baptist obtain for each of us the grace to live a life that is worthy of God’s call