Gospel: Matthew
11:11-15
Jesus
said to the crowd: Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been
none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is
greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of
heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. All the
prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing
to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to
hear.
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Reflection:
John the
Baptist called for the people to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand
(Matthew 3:2). John also gave his life for the sake of righteousness when he
criticized King Herod for coveting Herodias the wife of his brother Philip
(Matthew 14:1-12). To follow Jesus faithfully is not easy because to follow Him
is tantamount to be at war with this world.
We see
this in the lifestyle and behavior of John. John is the walking advertisement
of humility, simplicity and righteousness. John refused to kowtow to the
dictates of this world. He stood for the values and teachings of Jesus and this
eventually led to his violent death.
Up to
this very day the forces of Evil are still very much active. It hovers around
and it will try to snatch us from the embrace of Jesus. We must never allow
ourselves to be deceived by the devil for he is a walking advertisement of evil
and violence. Let us always be like John who remained simple and who stood
against evil even at the cost of his very life.
We only
pass in this world once let us take full advantage of it by making a stand for
what is right as what John the Baptist did during his time. Let us never be
discouraged if the people of this world will condemn us for not embracing this
world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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