The First and Second Finding of the Precious Head of the Holy, Glorious Prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist
2 Corinthians 4:6-15; Matthew 11:2-15
All-Night Vigil Feast
Read Matthew 11:2-15
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
We wake up this morning to great confusion, fear and anger. Ukraine is once again being pushed down, disregarded and trampled underfoot. It seems that it is at the mercy of bigger and stronger powers; meanwhile, abandoned by those who promised to support and defend it. One does not have to be Ukrainian to feel angry towards injustice, you just have to be a human being not infected by indifference.
Today we commemorate the first and second finding of the precious head of the holy, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist. He was a man given over to righteousness, justice and the upholding of God’s laws. St. John was not afraid to stand up for goodness and truth. Injustice and sin inspired anger in him which moved him to action. Anger is a God given gift to help us to move away from indifference and embrace justice. St. John was fuelled to preach repentance and amendment of life. Anger moved him to action, but it was love that prevented him from being consumed by anger and hatred. His anger was directed towards sin and his love embraced the sinner. Why else would he preach repentance and amendment of life unless he was concerned for the eternal salvation of even those who hated him and wanted him dead.
We pray that through the intercession of St. John the Baptist we may be moved to stand up for justice and righteousness. Let us pray and fast for peace, conversion and reconciliation—even for the repentance and salvation of those who oppress the weak for they are God’s children too. Like St. John let us focus our anger on the sin, but with love embrace the victims and even the enemy—for without the love of enemies anger will consume us and hatred will poison our world.