Memorial of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, Martyr

HR MATTERS

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

One of the first things I did as a human resources manager in the previous company I worked for was to reorient employees with existing company policies. I found out that although there were existing policies, they were not implemented. So I had to remind them of these before issuing disciplinary actions.

       Many employees still got angry when they received disciplinary actions after violating company policies. I prayed to the Lord for strength and courage to do what the owners wanted me to do — to build a better company culture and institute policies. It was a difficult task to accomplish especially since most of the employees had been working there for years while I was just newly hired.

       God showed His faithfulness to me in the months that followed. God helped me and the owners right-size the company, which enabled us to get rid of the bad apples in the organization. He blessed my efforts by enabling some of the employees to see the value of what I was doing. Some employees even became my friends after realizing that I was just doing my job as HR manager. Praise God for being my Deliverer! Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag (teregmps@yahoo.com)

1^ST READING

Jeremiah, like many of the prophets, is a reluctant prophet. He realizes the incredible responsibility of speaking for God and directing the people of God according to His will. He knows that a lot of suffering will be involved, thus we can be sure that he is truly committed to all that he says.

17 The word of the Lord came to me thus: Gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them; 18 for it is I this day who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land: Against Judah’s kings and princes, against its priests and people. 19 They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.

1 In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. 2 In your justice rescue me, and deliver me; incline your ear to me, and save me. (R) 3 Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked. (R) 5 For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth. 6 On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength. (R) 15 My mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation. 17 O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. (R)

Herod is a coward and unwilling to follow his conscience. He is also a fool to make a promise as ridiculous as the one he made to the daughter of Herodias. We will be able to avoid many problems in life if we follow our consciences and think before we speak. Words are very powerful and have a way of creating situations out of very little. We should be careful with what we say, lest we come to regret a few rash words spoken with little thought.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

17 Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. 18 John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. 20 Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. 21 She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. 22 Herodias’s own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” 23 He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 26 The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. 27 So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. 28 He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

think:  Words are very powerful and have a way of creating situations out of very little.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Isaiah 57-60

A CERTAIN DYING, A CERTAIN LIVING

Why do we celebrate a violent and tragic event like John’s beheading? Didn’t he deserve a more honorable and meaningful death? But we have to see this in context. The real reason for his death should define it.

       Jesus also suffered a humiliating and seemingly meaningless death as far as the unbelievers were concerned. The Jews and Romans saw it as scandalous. But as far as God was concerned, Jesus died for everyone’s sake — that we may live. Christians see the crucifixion as an expression of God’s great love — love at the highest level!

       Though not on equal footing, the death of John should be defined similarly. John died proclaiming the Good News of Jesus’ coming. He became a nuisance to Herod. Aside from John’s revelation of Herod’s unfaithfulness, he was also gaining some following, which was beginning to threaten Herod’s leadership. John’s imprisonment eased the tension a bit. The request for his head was an opportunity and Herod was not able to resist it. He hoped that the death of John would dispel his fears.

       It was also the time for Jesus. John had prepared the way of Jesus. And Jesus had arrived to bring into fruition what John had lived for. John’s death, in a way, foretold of the fate of Jesus. Surely, the student is not greater than his Master. In both deaths, we see through them and beyond. To a Christian, an offering of life for God’s greater glory is not discounted. To some, it may be meaningless, absurd or scandalous. But for a Christian, it can be an expression of love and faith.

       There was a time in the history of the Catholic Church when Christians were being killed because of their faith. Many denied their faith for fear of death. But many braved the persecution and they became martyrs for the faith. In the Catholic Faith, death in the name of faith is always embraced. John’s death was not a waste. It must be celebrated. Fr. Benny Tuazon

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Who is your favorite saint? What about his or her life that struck you? How can you imitate his or her qualities in your own life?

Lord, You gave us the example of saints. May we live and follow in their footsteps.