The protection promised

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer an opportunity to consider the nature of the protection of God for those who are apparently doing the will of God. The Prophet Jeremiah is reluctant to be the messenger to bring the message of the need to change to the people of Israel. The passage today reassures Jeremiah that the kings, princes and priests will not prevail against him. The psalmist is full of the praise of God and His wondrous deeds which have rescued the people from the hands of the unjust and the cruel. These texts are followed by the account in the Gospel of Mark of the beheading of John the Baptist. What happened? Has the power of evil prevailed? The relationship of the disciple to the Divine is extraordinary. The protection offered in this awesome intimacy is the protection of the relationship. Love transcends the limitations of our physical existence. The Christian journey to eternity passes through Calvary and death. Jesus considers, in His Passion, the option of having the Cup of Love which he is offered by the Father pass Him by. He chooses the Cup. We also are privileged in the circumstances of life to choose the outwardly foolish paths of selflessness. The selfless choice brings Life. Life giving is the promise which is protected.