Passion and Prophecy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist, remind us to rely on Providence when our faith, plans, and passion are in conflict with modern modes of living.

Priest, Prophet, Leader

The CCCB lists this Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah that declares “They will fight against you, but not prevail over you”

The Book of Jeremiah combines history, biography, and prophecy. It portrays a nation in crisis and introduces the reader to an extraordinary person whom the Lord called to prophesy under the trying circumstances of the final days of the kingdom of Judah. Jeremiah was born, perhaps about 650 B.C., of a priestly family from the village of Anathoth, two and a half miles northeast of Jerusalem. He was called to his task in the thirteenth year of King Josiah (Jer 1:2). Josiah’s reform, begun with enthusiasm and hope, ended with his death on the battlefield of Megiddo (609 B.C.) as he attempted to stop the northward march of the Egyptian Pharaoh Neco, who was going to provide assistance to the Assyrians who were in retreat before the Babylonians. (Jeremiah, THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH | USCCB, n.d.)

The USCCB lists a passage from 1 Thessalonians that presents Paul’s Instruction about Holiness in Sexual Contact.

* [4:2] Instructions: these include specific guidelines on the basis of the Lord’s authority, not necessarily sayings Jesus actually uttered. More profoundly, as 1 Thes 4:8 implies, the instructions are practical principles that Paul worked out in accordance with his understanding of the role of the Spirit.

* [4:3–8] Many think that this passage deals with a variety of moral regulations (fornication, adultery, sharp business practices). It can be more specifically interpreted as bringing general norms to bear on a specific problem, namely, marriage within degrees of consanguinity (as between uncle and niece) forbidden in Jewish law but allowed according to a Greek heiress law, which would insure retention of an inheritance within the family and perhaps thereby occasion divorce. In that case, “immorality” (1 Thes 4:3) should be rendered as “unlawful marriage” and “this matter” (1 Thes 4:6) as “a lawsuit.” The phrase in 1 Thes 4:4, “acquire a wife for himself,” has often been interpreted to mean “control one’s body.” (1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 97 is a hymn with God appearing in a storm.

* [Psalm 97] The hymn begins with God appearing in a storm, a traditional picture of some ancient Near Eastern gods (Ps 97:1–6); cf. Ps 18:8–16; Mi 1:3–4; Heb 3:3–15. Israel rejoices in the overthrowing of idol worshipers and their gods (Ps 97:7–9) and the rewarding of the faithful righteous (Ps 97:10–12). (Psalms, PSALM 97 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark describes 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.)

Joan Blandin Howard encourages us to accept Ignatius’ invitation to imaginative, contemplative prayer.  “Using all of your senses, enter into this banquet scene and notice where you land and what you experience of the others and of the Holy Spirit, the Giver of all Truth and the cleanser of all fear.”

Where is the good news in this reading? I experience Herod as a sympathetic character.  In his heart he knows John to be a good and holy man.  Even though perplexed, Herod is drawn to John’s words .  Still, he is afraid of John. Out of fear Herod has John beheaded.  Was Herod afraid of what John could do to him if he was released?  Or was Herod more afraid of what his wife might do if he did not behead John?  Or was he most afraid of what his court, followers and citizens might do to him?  The battle of truth and fear.  How is it that we often instinctively recognize truth and yet cannot cleanse ourselves of fear.  The forever battle between truth and fear rages. (Blandin Howard, 2025)

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 Meditation on Mark 6:17-29 comments that it wasn’t just John’s death that pointed to Jesus; his entire life served as a witness to him. His entire ministry was focused on making Jesus “known to Israel” (John 1:31). Everything he did—preaching repentance, baptizing people, and challenging those who abused their power—pointed to Jesus. Even today, he continues to “prepare the way of the Lord” (Luke 3:4).

How is John calling you to prepare the way for Jesus?

Wherever you are right now, consider how you can take one more step that will open your heart to Jesus more deeply. If you have felt lukewarm in prayer, remember that you have been baptized “with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16). If you are struggling with temptation or the call to deny yourself, ask the Lord to give you resolve. If you are too focused on your own desires, remember John’s profession: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). No matter how the Baptist’s witness touches you today, ask the Holy Spirit to help you follow the example of this hero and herald.

“St. John, forerunner of the Lord, pray that I may receive a double portion of your courage and conviction today!” (Meditation on Mark 6:17-29, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments the content of 1 Thessalonians turns to practical matters including being faithful in marriage. Paul shares that God would become the “goel” in times of abandonment.  Sexual morality was not strong in pagan religion; the gods were not good examples. We are called to integrity and fidelity. John the Baptist was martyred after declaring it was forbidden to marry a brother’s wife. Herod was both fascinated and afraid. Salome dances and initiates a promise and Herod gives in to her request. Herod is seen as a weak figure giving in to the request even as it meant the death of a “Man of God”. Friar Jude notes the location of numerous relics of John the Baptist in Europe where the benefit may be to bring us to prayer.

Fr. Richard Rohr introduces Camaldolese monk and songwriter Cyprian Consiglio who shares a memory of visiting Israel and Palestine. Consiglio finds himself changed by Rabbi Eli’s solidarity with the Palestinian people:  

My friends told me that when I came back from that trip to the Holy Land my preaching changed. It was more fiery, more “prophetic,” I suppose. I was fired up by the frustration and energized by the agitation that I felt witnessing up close a situation that was patently unsustainable and obviously unjust, but with no visible solution and no one with enough real moral authority to “fix” everything. And I think I felt like never before the challenge of being a follower of Jesus, and I glimpsed what a privileged position we Christians have there in the Holy Land as well as in the world at large, to stand in the breach between our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters and dare to preach love of our enemies, dare to believe that peace if possible, dare to take Jesus at his word. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the consolation of the Spirit when our actions to be disciples of Christ alienate us from the powers and principalities of the world.

References

Blandin Howard, J. (2025, August 29). Daily Reflection August 29, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-29-2025 

Jeremiah, THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/0 

Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/6?17 

Meditation on Mark 6:17-29. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/08/29/1365059/ 

1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/4?1 

Psalms, PSALM 97 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/97?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/can-christians-be-makers-of-peace/ 

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, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=aug29a 

Community and Commitment

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate our relationship with family, friends, and community as experiences of care, love, and compassion.

Community Care

The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to theThessalonians is a Concluding Thanksgiving and Prayer.

* [3:9–10] The tension between Paul’s optimism concerning the Thessalonians’ faith and his worries about their perseverance remains unresolved. Perhaps this is accounted for not only by the continuing harassment but also by the shortness of his own stay in Thessalonica (even if that were over twice as long as the conventional three weeks that Luke assigns to it, Acts 17:2). (1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 90 contains a plea for God’s intervention.

* [Psalm 90] A communal lament that describes only in general terms the cause of the community’s distress. After confidently invoking God (Ps 90:1), the Psalm turns to a complaint contrasting God’s eternity with the brevity of human life (Ps 90:2–6) and sees in human suffering the punishment for sin (Ps 90:7–12). The Psalm concludes with a plea for God’s intervention (Ps 90:13–17). (Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches about The Faithful or the Unfaithful Servant.

* [24:42–44] Cf. Lk 12:39–40. The theme of vigilance and readiness is continued with the bold comparison of the Son of Man to a thief who comes to break into a house.

* [24:45–51] The second part of the discourse (see note on Mt 24:1–25:46) begins with this parable of the faithful or unfaithful servant; cf. Lk 12:41–46. It is addressed to the leaders of Matthew’s church; the servant has been put in charge of his master’s household (Mt 24:45) even though that household is composed of those who are his fellow servants (Mt 24:49).

* [24:45] To distribute…proper time: readiness for the master’s return means a vigilance that is accompanied by faithful performance of the duty assigned.

* [24:48] My master…delayed: the note of delay is found also in the other parables of this section; cf. Mt 25:5, 19.

* [24:51] Punish him severely: the Greek verb, found in the New Testament only here and in the Lucan parallel (Lk 12:46), means, literally, “cut in two.” With the hypocrites: see note on Mt 6:2. Matthew classes the unfaithful Christian leader with the unbelieving leaders of Judaism. Wailing and grinding of teeth: see note on Mt 8:11–12. (Matthew, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

A Member of Creighton University Community comments that  “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day you will encounter the Lord.” helps them concentrate more on living than on being prepared to die.

Being alert to when I might encounter the Lord in my daily life, and being prepared to be the “faithful and prudent servant” turns my attention to how I interact with and treat others. If I am awake to all the possible ways I can see the Lord, I will recognize Jesus in those who suffer, and will act differently than if I am insensitive to them and their needs. If I do not know when I will encounter the Lord, then I should react to everyone I meet as if I were meeting the Lord. If I am a faithful and prudent steward, then I will be generous with the gifts God has given me and will distribute them “at the proper time” to the other members of my household (realizing that my household is the broader family of other people and not my limited biological family). (Daily Reflection August 30, 2007, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “You do not know the day,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"But his meaning is like this: If ordinary persons knew when they were going to die, they would surely be striving earnestly at that hour. In order therefore that they may strive, not at that hour only, he does not tell them the hour or day. He wants to keep them on their toes looking for it, that they may be always striving. This is why he made the end of each person's life so uncertain. In this passage he openly implies that he himself is Lord. Nowhere before has he spoken of this so distinctly. But here he seems to me also to be putting to shame those who remain careless about his lordship. They take much more care about a thief taking their money than about their own soul. Those who care about their house and do not want their possessions stolen take measures against the thief. They watch; they are prepared for the thief. So it is with you. You do not know when he will come. But you know assuredly that he will come. If you do not continue to watch, you will not be ready on that day. You will be unprepared. Destruction will come in your sleep. If the person had known when the thief was coming, he would have been prepared. So be like the one who is prepared at all times, so you will escape free. Having then mentioned the judgment, he directs his thoughts next to teachers, speaking of honorable and dishonorable actions. His discourse closes with that which is alarming, for he speaks first of those who do right, then of those who continue in sin." (excerpt from the THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 77.2-3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation Matthew 24:42-51 comments that two thousand years have passed, and the Lord’s coming is still delayed. So how can we be like the faithful servant?

Second, we can persevere in obedience. We can try not to grow weary in doing the good he has given us to do, especially when it comes to caring for the people around us. Jesus is delighted when he sees us working hard at our jobs, caring for our families, and providing for his people in need.

That’s it. That’s all it takes. If we can strive just to be faithful, Jesus promises us great rewards both in this life and in the next.

“Lord, help me to be your faithful servant. Lead me in simply doing what you ask of me.” (Meditation Matthew 24:42-51, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the First Letter to the Thessalonians is a thanksgiving for the turning of the community toward Christ and becoming part of life and heart of the missionary Paul. God will supply whatever they need in faith. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus encourages the people to stay awake. The end of the world was thought to be signed by the rising from the grave. Matthew begins to realize the return may be delayed. Friar Jude reminds us that the Parable, about the coming judgement, urges waiting for the master and doing the right thing for reward or severe beating. We don’t know the end , always be ready.

Brian McLaren recalls how he felt led to reach out to local mosques in the days after the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks. The friendship between our congregations grew through a series of interfaith dialogues.

Some people were, I imagine, a little shocked at first to see a Muslim cleric walking through the church lobby as people chatted over coffee and bagels. But because our congregations had developed a friendship, he was soon recognized and welcomed…. There was something wonderfully right about Ahmad feeling so at home that he could come find me before or between services on a Sunday…. 

Imagine what might happen around the world if more and more Christians rediscover that central to Christian life and mission is what we could call subversive or transgressive friendship—friendship that crosses boundaries of otherness and dares to offer and receive hospitality…. Imagine the good that could happen—and the evil that could be prevented from happening—if more Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and others cross the roads and other barriers that have separated them, and discover one another as friends. (McLaren, n.d.)

We are reminded of the power for good of communities where commitment to faith, encouragement, and action are the basis of relationships with people and Nature.

References

Daily Reflection August 30, 2007. (n.d.). Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-30-2007 

Matthew, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/24?42 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Hospitality Can Lead to Healing. CAC.org. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/hospitality-can-lead-to-healing/ 

Meditation Matthew 24:42-51. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/?utm_content=buffer5c902&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer 

1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/3?7 

Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/90?3 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Are You Ready to Meet the Lord? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=aug28