The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today recognize our desire for peace and our timidity under tension.
The Reading from the Book of Leviticus proclaims a Jubilee.
Psalm 81 declares all the nations will praise the Lord.
The Gospel of Matthew presents the martyrdom of John the Baptist.
Suzanne Braddock reflects on how a thoughtless promise sprung from misguided desires and fear of losing status resulted in a gruesome outcome.
Don Schwager quotes “Integrity is a hardship for the morally corrupt,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD)
"John aroused Herod by his moral admonitions, not by any formal accusation. He wanted to correct, not to suppress. Herod, however, preferred to suppress rather than be reconciled. To those who are held captive, the freedom of the one innocent of wrongdoing becomes hateful. Virtue is undesirable to those who are immoral; holiness is abhorrent to those who are impious; chastity is an enemy to those who are impure; integrity is a hardship for those who are corrupt; frugality runs counter to those who are self-indulgent; mercy is intolerable to those who are cruel, as is loving-kindness to those who are pitiless and justice to those who are unjust. The Evangelist indicates this when he says, "John said to him, 'It is not lawful for you to have the wife of your brother Philip.'" This is where John runs into trouble. He who admonishes those who are evil gives offense. He who repudiates wrongdoers runs into trouble. John was saying what was proper of the law, what was proper of justice, what was proper of salvation and what was proper certainly not of hatred but of love. And look at the reward he received from the ungodly for his loving concern!" (excerpt from SERMONS 127.6-7)
[Peter Chrysologus, 400-450 AD, was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century]
Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Maria Shriver who invites readers to discern how we can engage with our imperfect world.
We ponder the false path of seeking perfection and seek the guidance of the Spirit to find peace in our service to the people we encounter on our journey.
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