Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

 

 

Dear Fathers, Friends in Christ,

 

1 Corinthians 2:1-5
 Psalm 119:97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102
 Mark 6:17-29

 

I participated in an activity called The Game of Life. It consisted of one man who selected several members from the group to be his closest associates. In return for their support, he made great promises. If they remained loyal to him by not challenging his point of view, he greatly rewarded them. If they challenged his thoughts, or actions, he rejected them from his inner circle. Being rejected not only meant that you were deprived of his rewards, but also you could not have lunch that day. Little by little his inner circle grew smaller, and smaller until finally there were just one or two left. I do not remember the outcome of the game, but John the Baptist certainly suffered the consequences of not supporting Herod in his deed to marry his brother's wife by losing his head. Throughout history there have been others who lost their lives in the name of truth: Thomas Moore, and John Fischer to name a few. It may be rare for any of us to die for the truth as a result of following Christ, but none the less we should be prepared if that day should come. Even Jesus died in witness to the truth before Pilate.

 

Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Launceston, Tasmania
Australia