Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
In our Gospel for today, I feel inclined to reflect on the steadfastness and integrity of John the Baptist. Saint Peter Julian Eymard expressed his desire for martyrdom when he prayed that he might become the first Marist martyr. Although I pray for holiness, I honestly cannot remember if I have ever prayed for martyrdom. There are still a few people in our time who would embrace martyrdom for the sake of righteousness and truth.
In our Gospel, John the Baptist was imprisoned because of the truth that he proclaimed; because he went against someone in power, he became a victim of someone’s caprice. And despite the possibility that he would pay with his life for this truth, he never recanted!
These days, truth can sometimes be vague, distorted, or bought, and very few people are brave enough to fight for it — much less die for it. It is sometimes even difficult to tell the truth to those we love and care for, out of fear of hurting them or losing peace with them. It is easier to just agree. A complex challenge also arises when truth becomes relative—even the truth of God’s unconditional love, mercy, and justice becomes contingent on someone’s interpretation or acceptance of it.
The gospel reminds us that the call to truth is rarely convenient and often costly, so how can I continue to proclaim God’s truth in our present reality? Nobody will ask for my head, that is for sure, but there is the possibility of being ridiculed or being accused of naiveté. On the other hand, stopping would lead to discouragement, inequality, and hopelessness. Therefore, fear and ego have no place in proclaiming God’s truth; In losing ourselves to God’s truth, we will find freedom and a life that cannot be taken away.
Prayer:
Lord God, grant us the courage to stand firm in your truth, even when it costs us discomfort or disapproval. Help us to speak with honesty and love, unafraid to bring light where there is confusion or silence. May our hearts always seek Your will, and may we find freedom and hope in surrendering to Your truth through Christ our Lord. Amen.
