A tough calling

“…And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him” (Mark 6:19)

  

Amos 7:7-15

Psalm 85:8-13

Ephesians 1:3-14

Mark 6:14-29

The Scripture readings, above, are from  the appointed 'paired' readings for the principal service of the day from the Church of Ireland while hyper-links to the readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © http://nrsvbibles.org

(Year B: Sixth Sunday after Trinity, 11^th July 2021)

The readings for this Sunday, including the account of how and why John the Baptist was put to death do not make for easy reading.

Though John the Baptist is mentioned frequently throughout the gospels, but especially in the earlier life and ministry of Jesus, he is something of an unknown figure paving the way for our Messiah and then fading. ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’ John says (John 3:20). Again, the message from John is clear:

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near (Matthew 3:2)

What does the story of John’s birth tell us? Here is the one who leapt for joy when, as an unborn child, he heard the greeting of Mary who was carrying the Saviour of this world.  John’s mission was summed up in what we sometimes call the Benedictus – those verses in the first chapter of the gospel of Saint Luke when John’s father, Zechariah, utters a prophecy about his son, John.

John had a special role to play in pointing the people of Israel to its saviour. By all accounts, John was a rough and ready sort. We can imagine him by the river Jordan in the full swing of his ministry: unshaven, shabbily dressed, emaciated and sunburnt and possibly a bit smelly as well notwithstanding the frequent dips in the River Jordan as he baptised those who came to him including, one day, his cousin Jesus.

In today’s Gospel reading, we get a sense of the drama about John when his life came to an abrupt end. Like Jesus who came after him, he overstepped his mark. He spoke out clearly and boldly without fear of the consequences. In the case of Herod (Antipas), he called out bad behaviour and unacceptable values.  For his labours, he was rewarded with beheading – a not unknown practice for many disciples of Jesus in certain parts of the world in very recent times.

What is the message from this Gospel passage?  We need to draw on John’s passion for the truth and justice and, at the same time, his love for people which saw him lay down his life for all three. His sacrifice was a key trigger point in the emerging ministry of Jesus and the call of his first disciples. Things would never be the same again. A pattern had been set and the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary would open up a way for us that would never end.

John did what others might be inclined not to do: speak the Word of God in plain terms and without fear of the consequences.  Not just that: he lived the Word of God in his life.

What might we take from the example of John? I suggest three points:

1. The one who speaks out to others and up to those in authority may do so from a position of moral authority having lived and experienced what they profess (‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’ in John 15:13).
2. Second, each of us in the Body of Christ has our own gift, calling and responsibility.
3. Finally, whatever we say or do must be for the good of others.

Lord God, teach us to love and live by your word. Like John the Baptist, help us to be fearless, faithful and gentle witnesses to your truth in the 21^st century. Amen.