Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel is the story of John the Baptist’s death. We know all the characters in the story, and our gospel author tells us what they are all thinking and feeling… except one character, John the Baptist. At no time does the author tell us what’s going through John the Baptist’s head as he is taken away to be killed. Did John the Baptist do anything? Was kicking and screaming before death? Was he crying? Was he putting up a fight with the guards who were leading him to his execution? Did he tell Herod to have mercy on him? We don’t know, cause our gospel author says nothing.
I believe John the Baptist, the humble and faithful servant, did none of those things because he put all things in the hands of the Lord. And by doing this, John the Baptist had no fear. John the Baptist didn’t care where he was going, because he knew he had already won; Jesus was by his side! This is a faith, brothers and sisters, that we must copy. Amidst all the storms and trials that come our way, we must be firm in faith that Christ is in our corner helping us. Whatever we are up against, we have already won because Christ is with us.
Reflection by Fr. Macario Martinez, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections