August 29, 2025 – Passion of St. John the Baptist
Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/0829-memorial-passion-john-baptist.cfm)
Evil seems stronger that good. Darkness seems stronger than light. Lies seem stronger than truth. This can be discouraging and frustrating when such things happen in our life and in our society.
Take for example when ordinary citizens would do their best to earn a living yet powerful political and government officers would suck out the national treasury. Leaders living in comfort and luxury while ordinary citizens living in poverty and suffering from poor social services. Take for example of murders and killings perpetrated by those with money as their power while families of victims being threatened and justice being deprived.
Yet, in every age and generation, God chooses prophets among us who take courage and the risk to speak God’s desires for us. These are the prophets who make a stand even when their lives are threatened and find joy even when persecuted.
Today’s feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist somehow portrays such painful reality. John who prepared the way of the Lord, led people to repentance and proclaimed God’s salvation was beheaded cruelly. John, who died a martyr’s death, paid this price by having the courage to pinpoint the wrong and immorality of those in power.
Herod who coveted his brother’s wife, Herodias, though liked to listen to John, did not change his ways. Herod was rather submerged into corruption and immorality. Herodias despised John so much for challenging their relationship. Her daughter, who was indifferent towards the situation acted on impulse and without right judgment.
John was fully aware of the risks but he did as the Lord commanded him to do. John’s life echoed what was written in the Book of Jeremiah, “Gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you.” The voice of John the Baptist became a beacon of light despite the seemingly powerful darkness. He became a hope in the midst of hopeless and corrupt leaders.
He was beheaded, yet, the spirit of John the Baptist and his voice continued to echo. Hence, his passion does tell us now of God’s power to defeat evil with good, to turn darkness into light, and to correct lies with the truth.
With his life and his passion, John is now an inspiration for us Christians. The faith that we have received, is our light that shall guide and inspire our conscience. The light of our faith motivates our hearts to love more and to seek what is true and good. The light of our faith brings encouragement and strength in times when we are being tried or threatened. This light of our faith makes us sing and proclaim God’s salvation and freedom for us.
And so we pray, “Lord, increase my faith in you. Empower my heart and mind that I may be your own prophet in my own family, group of friends and community. Inspire in me the desire to seek the light, what is good and true.” Hinaut pa.
A DOSE OF GOD TODAY 