Friday, February 5, 2021 - Fourth week in ordinary time - Happy are those who have heard the Word with a good and generous heart, who hold it back and bear fruit by their perseverance - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 6, 14-29

Dear Christians, witnessing miracles is not enough to identify Jesus as the Messiah. In other words, seeing does not necessarily train faith. Many have met Jesus, seen his miracles, or at least heard of him, but not all have believed in him to be the Messiah.

Mark includes in his account of the mission of the apostles, the martyrdom of John the Baptist. This means that proclaiming the kingdom of God can cost life. Like Jesus, like John the Baptist, like the apostles and martyrs of the Church endured through the centuries. However, this is not in vain, but acts like the water with which one has watered the seed which becomes a tree.

The reason for the death of John the Baptist was that he defended decorum: one can take the brother's wife, according to Leviticus 20, 21. Let us be rigorous with regard to values, so as not to fall into lax depravity . King Herod was trapped by his own words and had to resign himself to having John the Baptist beheaded, despite his reluctance. Often, we trap ourselves: we swear and promise all the time. That good intentions followed by action suffice.

May we remain faithful to God even if it means losing our lives. Amen.