Comments on: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 — The Death of John the Baptist

By: TR

TR — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 22:33:34 +0000

Every time I hear the story of John the Baptist a part of me keeps holding out for a different ending. Guess even when we know what God has planned it’s hard to accept it.

Dear God prepare me for whatever is coming…especially the stuff I don’t want to happen.

By: Dr. Neba A. Polycarp

Dr. Neba A. Polycarp — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 06:22:17 +0000

Be careful what you promise to do or better still do not sign a blank check for it might push you beyond limits. However paraphrasing the writer of this wonderful peace, should your blank check eventually turn out a matter of taking someone’s life, I think reneging will not be such a terrible idea. After all you can’t give what you don’t have. Herod felt he was God if not he should know he did not own John the Baptist’s life

By: Mike Ruzza

Mike Ruzza — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 00:16:19 +0000

I think John knew his death would not be a peaceful one; because he knew fully we that he came to ‘prepare people for the way of the Lord.’ When he was arrested, knowing that Jesus had already been baptized; he knew this too was part of his ‘becoming lesser as Jesus became greater.’ I feel certain that he was ready to meet his fate before it came to him. He accepted it as part of his duties as a prophet. I’m sure he was ready to go to Heaven, and did so with a righteous heart. These are the things I meditate upon when John’s death anniversary rolls around each year. God bless John the Baptist and all of us. Amen

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 12:05:02 +0000

Thank you Steven. It’s distressing at times, to think of the things God is calling me to stand for, to act upon, and that I simply have no excuse not to do them other then selfishness, laziness, lack of love, or cowardice. Thank goodness God knows this, and the Holy Spirit bolsters our ability and even our capability to love to carry out His will. I am thankful for a loving and patient God.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 09:37:21 +0000

Johns death is a small (but important) piece of a big story. Thank you for your insight into the daily readings. It always helps me better understand my faith. May God Bless

By: Francis Piloto

Francis Piloto — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 06:28:42 +0000

It seems we all have someone who arouses our conscience. David had Nathan when he took Uriah’s wife……..Herod had John. Am I prepared to heed that voice of conscience? Am I also prepared to be a voice of conscience for others?

By: Bern

Bern — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 00:38:44 +0000

Thank you Steven to this wonderful reflections.

This sad story, of the beheading of John the Baptist, reveals much to us. It reveals, above all, the mystery of evil in our world and God’s permissive will in allowing evil, at times, to flourish.

I share the same thoughts with Joe, we both came from the same home country. In fact our local Archbishop of our Archdioceses have issued lately an “Oratio Imperata” to stop the killings here in our locality.

Let us just continue to pray for our country. May morality and dignity of man be restored through Christ our Lord.

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 22:25:31 +0000

The gospel made me think about the evil being perpetuated by oppressive regimes like that of my home country, the Philippines, but also about evil in general, and the first reading spoke about shunning people who do not follow the Christian teachings. I was disturbed by the injustice of John’s beheading, and we learn later on that Jesus was as well. I take comfort in Christ’s resurrection and promise of salvation.