Today the Church celebrates the Passion of Saint John the Baptist. The Gospel reading from Mark 6 tells the story of how John was beheaded. It is a tragic tale, but one that we can learn from – the truth will cost us everything.
Our first reading today is from 1 Corinthians 1 where St. Paul talks about foolishness and wisdom.”The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Jesus dying on the cross…foolishness. To my sensibilities now, that seems like such blasphemy. But I can remember a time in my life when I really thought that way. Jesus? Ah, just a fairy tale! No one really believes that stuff. Christianity? Why, that’s just a crutch for weak people! Those are direct quotes from me!
Of course, now I know better. But, believe you me, more and more people these days share my opinions of old. They see Christianity, and Catholicism in particular, as irrelevant. The world has molded their thinking so much that they see us as a bunch of wacked-out fools. So how do we reach them? I think we need to be foolish enough to show them love and, by our example, let them know that this whole Christian thing ain’t so bad! Give it a try…maybe you can be a happy fool like me!
Father, help us to be fools for Christ today. Help us to reach out to those who believe that the message of the cross is foolishness, and to show them the power of God. Amen.
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