The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today caution us to avoid situations when we default to our self interest in decisions that may have been better considered through the guidance of the Spirit in Jesus Way.
The Prophet Jeremiah declares to the people the need to “gird up your loins”
i. [1:18] Jer 6:27; 15:20; Ez 3:8. (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 71 is a Prayer for Lifelong Protection and Help.
* [Psalm 71] A lament of an old person (Ps 71:9, 18) whose afflictions are interpreted by enemies as a divine judgment (Ps 71:11). The first part of the Psalm pleads for help (Ps 71:1–4) on the basis of a hope learned from a lifetime’s experience of God; the second part describes the menace (Ps 71:9–13) yet remains buoyant (Ps 71:14–16); the third develops the theme of hope and praise. (Psalms, PSALM 71 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Mark presents an account of the Death of John the Baptist.
* [6:17–29] Similarities are to be noted between Mark’s account of the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist in this pericope, and that of the passion of Jesus (Mk 15:1–47). Herod and Pilate, each in turn, acknowledges the holiness of life of one over whom he unjustly exercises the power of condemnation and death (Mk 6:26–27; 15:9–10, 14–15). The hatred of Herodias toward John parallels that of the Jewish leaders toward Jesus. After the deaths of John and of Jesus, well-disposed persons request the bodies of the victims of Herod and of Pilate in turn to give them respectful burial (Mk 6:29; 15:45–46).
* [6:19] Herodias: see note on Mt 14:3. (Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Andy Alexander, S.J. (2019) comments that "dying to self" allows him to love those closest to him. It is the first step in allowing him to be better at loving the "neighbor" with mercy and compassion, and self-sacrificing love. Then, the inner fire of anger at so many people, fear of so much, and conflict with those who have different ideas than his, begins to change. Then, "What would Jesus do?" (WWJD?) become a challenging question to ask in very concrete situations.
All this is preparatory to public martyrdom - public witness to our faith in a culture that is not in harmony with our faith. To stand in solidarity with those who are the most rejected and marginalized in our culture, to work hard to act against the many ways we are hurting our planet and all those who are the first and worst to suffer, to act publicly and try to witness to a life of mercy and compassion, with put me at odds with very powerful forces. The forces which profit mightily to sustain systemic injustice will not surrender their power easily or kindly. I may not end up being beheaded, like John, but the backlash to living the way of Jesus will be strong and powerful. John's courage and integrity can be a great grace for us, individually, and as a faith community, as we chew the message of his martyrdom today. (Alexander, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The Weakness of the Tyrant and the Power of the Beheaded,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).
"Note well the weakness of the tyrant compared to the power of the one in prison. Herod was not strong enough to silence his own tongue. Having opened it, he opened up countless other mouths in its place and with its help. As for John, he immediately inspired fear in Herod after his murder - for fear was disturbing Herod's conscience to such an extent that he believed John had been raised from the dead and was performing miracles (Mark 6:14-16)! In our own day and through all future time, throughout all the world, John continues to refute Herod, both through himself and through others. For each person repeatedly reading this Gospel says: 'It is not lawful for you to have the wife of Philip your brother' (Mark 6:18). And even apart from reading the Gospel, in assemblies and meetings at home or in the market, in every place... even to the very ends of the earth, you will hear this voice and see that righteous man even now still crying out, resounding loudly, reproving the evil of the tyrant. He will never be silenced nor the reproof at all weakened by the passing of time." (excerpt from ON THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD 22.8-9) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us comments that Paul’s advice to the Corinthians is as relevant to us as it was to them. As we read from this letter at Mass over the next three weeks, we can listen closely to his instructions to these early Christians and take them to heart.
So what might Paul tell you today? When differences arise between you and other believers, don’t be surprised or despair. Keep asking for the grace to be patient, and try to work out your differences. Pray for your fellow Christians who don’t think as you do or who may even oppose or malign you. And when you find yourself tempted to give up, stay focused on the Lord and persevere. He will “keep you firm to the end”!
“Father, I trust that you can help me work out my differences with my brothers and sisters in Christ.” (Daily Meditation, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the difficulty of teaching about Jesus and the Spirit that Paul encountered in Corinth where the Gnostics rejected Jesus' humanity. The martyrdom of John the Baptist occurs even though Herod feared John. Herod’s promise to Herodius creates a martyr for morality. Friar Jude notes that we can be aided in prayer at all the sacred sites that claim to have the head of John the Baptist.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, believes we can face reality with greater integrity and wisdom by embracing the gifts and limitations of our growth.
Given the prevalence of this pattern, it must now be considered culpable ignorance that most people still consider Disorder somewhat of a surprise, a scandal, a mystery, or something to be avoided or overcome by an easy jump from Order to Reorder. This is human hubris and illusion. Progress is never a straight and uninterrupted line, but we have all been formed by the Western philosophy of progress that tells us it is, leaving us despairing and cynical.
So, what does this demand of humanity, especially those who are leaders and teachers? More than anything else—humility and creativity! These virtues offer the detachment and patience that allow history to move forward because they keep our absolutes, our certitudes, and our obstinacy out of the way. Even God submits to mercy and forgiveness toward “what used to be.” Apparently, God enjoys doing this because it never stops happening: Every original Order learns to include an initially threatening Disorder, which morphs into and creates a new Reordering, and we begin all over again. (Rohr, n.d.)
We seek the guidance of the Spirit to avoid decisions and actions that are the consequence of the breakdown of humility, creativity, and impulsive reactions to people and events.
References
Alexander, A. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/082924.html
Daily Meditation. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/08/29/1062552/
Jeremiah, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/1
Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/6?17
Psalms, PSALM 71 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/71?0
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Include and Transcend. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/include-and-transcend/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Herod Feared John - a Righteous and Holy Man. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=aug29a
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