Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist

Today's Mass Readings

 

Today we observe the Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist. Since it is a “Memorial,” and not a “Feast,” our first reading comes from Monday of the Twenty-second Week of Ordinary Time. Last Thursday, the Lectionary began readings from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. This entire week, we will continue hearing selections from this important letter.

Beginning chapter 2, St. Paul writes about his mission to the Christians in Corinth. As an apostle, he has been sent there by God. He wants to make it clear that his mission does not depend upon his own gifts of persuasive speech or impressive language, even though this letter will show that he was not lacking in these abilities.

Rather, St. Paul claims he was among the Corinthians “in weakness and fear and much trembling.” Corinth was a very cosmopolitan city; it had plenty of orators who could give impressive talks. Often, they charged people who came to listen to them. Paul would have nothing of this.

What and how Paul preached was clear. It was Jesus Christ and Him crucified. This was based on God’s “spirit and power so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.”

St. John the Baptist is an outstanding example of this same truth. By his death, he witnessed to the power of God.

Reflection: How do we share with others the Good News about Christ crucified for the redemption of the world?

Reflection by Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB

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