Monday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)
Mystery of the day: Joyful
Celebration:The Passion of Saint John the Baptist
St John's fearless condemnation of Herod's unlawful marriage incurred the hatred of the king's bride, Herodias. She had him imprisoned and finally killed. St John the Baptist teaches us to be strong in carrying out the mission God has given us.
Table of the Word: Jeremiah 1:17-19; Mark 6:17-29
Theme: The battle is not ours but of the Lords
"They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the LORD, to deliver you." (Jeremiah 1:19)
The protective hand of God is always upon us, our resting and rising all determined by our God. Many will stand against us, but they will not succeed, that is the foundation of today's reflection as proclaimed through the prophecy of Jeremaiah:
"They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the LORD, to deliver you." (Jeremiah 1:19)
The battle in question refers to defence of justice and righteousness; but not a case of wickedness. That is why the words of the Beatitude according to Evangelist Matthew has this to say:
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10)
As St. John the Baptist who bore witness to the Truth was crowned with glory. King Herod thought he has done the worst, but God who always reward His children gave John the Baptist a bigger reward beyond what Herod gave to Herodias' daughter (cf. Mark 6:17-29).
Therefore, no matter what we undergo in the course of standing for the truth, we will certainly triumph, for God is always with us.
Finally, beloved in Christ, the battle is indeed not ours but of the Lords (Exodus 14:14) Let our hearts go with Him in our day-to-day struggle. He will never put us to shame, just trust in Him, defend the cause of justice then the crown of glory will be yours. Peace! Be with you.
Let us pray
O God, who willed that Saint John the Baptist should go ahead of your Son both in his birth and in his death, grant that as he died a Martyr for truth and justice, we, too, may fight hard for the confession of what you teach. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 29082022
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