Memorial of the Beheading of

St. John the Baptist

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. – 1 Corinthians 1:25

       I allot my whole Monday preparing and reflecting for the talk I give every Tuesday in The Feast I lead in Makati. I listen to audio talks, read the articles of Bo Sanchez, do some research on the Internet, and read books related to the topic.

       Throughout this tedious and detailed preparation, I also allow God to talk to me and, in turn, I listen to His message for me. After that, I lift up my work to Him. Because at the end of the day, it would still be He who will be speaking to The Feast attendees.

       One of the criticisms I’ve received is that I lack experience. I believe this is because I’ve relied on my own understanding many times. But now, I ask God to speak to His people through me because I acknowledge that what I know is limited. Even as I do my part to prepare, I surrender to God’s plan.

       Friends, do your best to achieve your dreams but be open to God’s version of them. Place your faith, hope and love in His loving arms. Jan Carlo Silan (jan@makatifeast.com)

Reflection: Do you do everything on your own or do you allow God to reveal His plan for your life?

Lord, in my weakness You are strong. I offer to You my work today. Let Your name be glorified in what I do. Bless me today. Amen.

Jeremiah stands firm in his obedience to God’s call even though he knows that it will mean suffering for him. He knows that his integrity as a prophet is at stake here. What is the use of a prophet who just tells the people what they want to hear and does not challenge them to deeper conversion? None whatsoever! This is the challenge we face as prophets today. The agenda of the world is contrary to the beliefs of our faith — are we going to stand for the truth?

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.

R: I will sing your salvation.

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)

John the Baptist is a man of integrity. Even if he knew it would displease Herod, he still told him the truth about his illicit marriage to his brother’s wife. This results in his martyrdom after a major flaw in the character of Herod is revealed — his inability to be a man of integrity. Herod is too weak to take the displeasure of the people around him and so John’s life is forfeited to the sword.

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:  The agenda of the world is contrary to the beliefs of our faith — are we going to stand for the truth?

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Psalm 21-25

THE INTEGRITY TO SPEAK UP

In many ways John the Baptist could be seen as a moral activist. He knows how powerful Herod is and yet he dares to tell him that his marriage to his brother’s ex-wife is immoral. The weird thing about this is that Herod does not seem worried about what John has to say. It is Herodias, his wife, who has a problem with John, so she conspires with her daughter to have John killed at the first available opportunity. Unwittingly, it is Herod who provides that opportunity, out of his fear of what people might think of him if he does not live up to his promise.

       Herod actually likes to listen to the preaching of John. Perhaps he was on his way to conversion — because it gives him something to think about and probably challenges him to be a better person. He probably felt that John, who spent many years in the desert as a hermit and now preaches a message of repentance and baptism, would have been an interesting person to meet.

         What can we learn from John the Baptist today?

       John had a fearless love for truth and he was not afraid to speak it even to the most powerful people. This disregard for his own reputation is exactly the opposite of Herod’s fear of the people. Perhaps this is what really attracted Herod to John. Whatever it may be, it should also attract us to John as he is an inspiring figure if we allow his story to resonate in our lives. John is a figure who stands before us to dare us to speak the truth in love, no matter what the consequences may be.

       Are we ready to hear that challenge or will we shrink from our responsibility to the Gospel? Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you have John’s courage to stand up for the truth always?

Holy Spirit, take away my fear of losing face in front of others. Help me to firmly believe that what matters is that I can stand before God with a clear conscience, knowing that I have done all that He asked me to do.