Greetings on this the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Readings: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Psalm 97:1 and 2b, 5-6, 10, 11-12; Mark 6:17-29
Summary
The Passion of Saint John the Baptist is the remembering of the suffering and death of Jesus’ best man, John the Baptist.
In the gospel account of Mark we have The Death of John the Baptist.
Death
So [Herod] promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl (MK 6:27-28).
Spiritual Suffering
His spiritual suffering is not in view in the Gospel of Mark but is made known in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. It is that moment when the collision of expectations and hopes colliding with the reality of the situation and the call to obedience. It is absolutely the equal to Jesus in the garden. He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” (MK 14:35-36).
When John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” (MT 11:2-3 x-ref Lk 7:18FF).
Love Suffering
His love suffering is intermixed with the joy for his friend.
This can be understood in light of the gospel of John’s account. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.” (Jn 3:30).
Reflection
Love, suffering and death. The life of John the Baptist is in so many ways a parallel to and foreshadows the life, death and passion of Jesus. They suffered the same fate (yet different methods). Loved, but hated. Shared, but stolen from. John came first in time but his passive-passivity is given its perfection in the same Jesus later.
Personal Reflection
We honor John the Baptist today for his gifts of Love, Suffering and Death. We recognize his passive-passivity (State and Action x-ref to human effort and divine grace working together). John laid down his life for his friend and for the salvation of souls.
May we too learn to
- decrease
- love
- suffer
- die
for the same purposes.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082925.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry