rejoice in the beheading!!

there comes a moment when the fate of the prophet john is sealed
sealed in the knowledge of blood soon to be spilling from his neck

to be a prophet means to speak the word of god
whether timely or untimely
and there is no right time to die
or
in the new kingdom
any day may be the right time

it was john's mission and his greatness
to proclaim the advent of the kingdom
the kingdom has come near to us
our challenge is to enter
at the price of our own earthly happiness
at the price of our practiced contentment

to stand against violence may be the violence we get
to be a voice for peace may bring anything but peace

let us concentrate for a moment on john's fate
he lies in prison
a powerless victim of wretched paltriness
and fully aware of the death threatening him
from herodias' hatred
must not the knowledge of his own greatness
have revolted against the apparent senselessness
of it all
surely his darkest hours came then
and with them danger of rebellion and doubt

can he who allows such things to happen to his servants
really be the messiah

perhaps all the complexities of human love are contained in this story
love that seeks to be certain in marriage
love that binds friends
love that is dedicated to the well-being of others
even the basic love as affection is on trial
surely the concept of love of god is called into question

"blessed is he who is not scandalized in me"
these words sent to john from jesus
as john paces his cell

the lord knows his herald
knows his need
the message sent by the mouth

of his uncomprehending disciples
into the darkness of the dungeon
is a divine message

john understood

ours is bloody faith
and in that blood spilled from johns death wounds
co-mingled in the blood that spilled
from jesus' side and down his face
we have a mandate for the kingdom
here on earth
our very lives are asked of us

this reflection was inspired by the reading from
morning office which comes to us from
THE LORD by romano guardini
the words in bold type
are the words of romano guardini
the original text is in italian