ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST ’S BOLD EXAMPLE
Someone once quipped that St. John the Baptist’s death fulfilled quite literally his remarkable statement of humble deference to Jesus: “He must increase, while I must decrease.” Jesus indeed “increased,” in the sense of being mounted up on the cross on Mt. Calvary, whereas John the Baptist “decreased,” in the sense of being decapitated.
Apart from his ghastly death which we recall today, St. John the Baptist was a “martyr” in his being a “witness.” He took a very bold position against King Herod’s wrongdoing. Contrast this to the pathetic stance of the same King Herod, as he regretted the pronouncement he made to Herodias’s daughter and feared his loss of esteem in front of his guests.
In the First Reading, God orders the prophet Jeremiah, “Do you gird your loins...” The word for “loins” in Hebrew and Greek indicates the waist, the place where a belt or girdle was tied. Normally, loose clothing was tied in preparation for a journey or for any other activity. The expression therefore means “be ready for action.” But mind you, this command to Jeremiah is not an appeal to his own efforts. It is the same God who is really the one behind: “Stand up and tell them all that I command you... For it is I this day who have made you a fortified city... I am with you to deliver you...”
Victims of injustice, violence, persecution and intolerance can all take courage from St. John the Baptist’s heroic example. They need never think they are alone in their pain and suffering. That was what countless Filipinos cried when hero Ninoy Aquino was brutally gunned down: “Hindi ka nagiisa (You are not alone).” Even John the Baptist’s disciples, who, upon their master’s death, came to carry away his body for a proper burial, expressed the solidarity notwithstanding their fear and sorrow.
John the Baptist may indeed have “lost his head” — but he surely gained the reward for a life of uncommon valor. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTION: How bold are you in standing up for truth amidst wrongdoing?
Lord Jesus, grant me courage to take the witness’ stand and proclaim the truth at all times.
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