Readings: Eccles. 47:2-13, Ps. 18:31,47,50-51, Mark 6:14-29
“For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife. And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not. … She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’” (Mark 6:18-24)
The saying that “truth is bitter” comes into play in today’s Gospel passage. The fame of Jesus had now spread all over the place. Many are still in great shock and astonishment as to how this Jesus of Nazareth got the powers that were at work in him. Many wondered at the level of wisdom that proceeded from his words.
Jesus did everything right. Even the winds and seas obeyed His command. The man possessed by demons who terrorised the region of the Gerasenes was now a great preacher and evangelist. The little girl who was dead came back to life by the power of Jesus’ words. Simply touching his garment was enough to draw healing power from Him. Jesus was just too much.
It had just become the number one trending topic in Israel. Everyone had something to say about Him. Many believed that for a person to be this powerful, he must have been resurrected a second time. While some concluded Jesus is Elijah, some felt he is John the Baptist returned to life.
Even Herod concluded that Jesus was John the Baptist; he wished he could turn back the hands of the clock and undo his woeful mistake. Herod had arrested John the Baptist just to hide the truth; he couldn’t stand the truth. The death of John the Baptist seemed like a victory for Herod, Herodias, and her daughter. Herod had no idea that something greater than John the Baptist would come. The lesson we must learn today is this: “You may kill those who tell you the truth, but you can never bury the truth.”
Very often, we are just like Herod; we gather around ourselves a bunch of sycophants and praise singers. Anyone who tells us the truth, challenges us, or criticises us is considered our enemy. Instead of accepting our faults, we find a way to eliminate such a person. Be humble enough to take criticism. You are not always as perfect as your ego makes you believe. Consider those who criticise you to be your real friends, helping you to grow.
Once upon a time, a man saw his own funeral announcement on television; it was a case of mistaken identity. This man was shocked to hear what people were saying about him. “So, is this what I will be remembered for?” He said to himself. Meanwhile, no one was bold enough to tell him these things to his face. He decided from that day on to change.
St. Paul Miki was born in Tounucumada, Japan, into a family led by a Japanese military commander. He studied at the Jesuit college in Anziquiama and became a Jesuit in 1580. St. Paul was celebrated for his passionate and articulate sermons. On 5 February, during Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s crackdown on Christians, he was martyred alongside twenty-five other faithful Catholics. Hideyoshi acted under the emperor’s authority during this intense period of persecution.
The group of martyrs came from diverse backgrounds, highlighting the widespread reach of Christianity in Japan at the time. Among them was Francis, a carpenter who was captured and executed while observing the other killings. Gabriel, a nineteen-year-old connected to the Franciscans, and Leo Kinuya, a 28-year-old carpenter, also faced martyrdom.
Diego Kisai from the Jesuits, Joachim Sakakibara, a Franciscan cook, and Peter Sukejiro, who aided prisoners at a Jesuit’s request, were similarly executed. Additionally, Cosmas Takeya, an evangelist from Owari, and Ventura, a former apostate who was brought back to the faith by the Franciscans, were killed for their beliefs. These men, representing various professions and united by their Christian faith, were collectively recognised as the Martyrs of Japan in 1862.
Let us pray: O God, strength of all the Saints, who through the Cross were pleased to call the Martyrs Saint Paul Miki and companions to life, grant, we pray, that by their intercession we may hold with courage even until death to the faith that we profess. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saints Paul Miki and his Companions, Martyrs, Liturgical Colour: Red. Bible Study: Eccles. 47:2-13, Ps. 18:31,47,50-51, Mark 6:14-29.)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu