It is 29th August 2015. We celebrate the memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist. The readings are from Jer.1:17-19 and the Gospel from Mk.6:17-29. God promises the security needed for Jeremiah for the work he needed to do for God and God’s people. Nothing and no one can defeat us when God is with us. God’s promises of security are not empty words and so we need to assure ourselves that God is going to be with us as we face each day. “They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” (Jer.1:19). The Responsorial Psalm reassures us praying, “Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.” (Ps.71:17). The Gospel brings out the picture of the murder of St. John the Baptist. The Baptizer was able to point out the sins of Herod and Herodias. After listening to the accusations from the man of God, instead of getting rid of the sin, the king got rid of John the Baptist. King Herod was under pressure from his wife, family and friends and therefore he got rid of the saintly man who was disturbing the conscience of his family. There are events, people and words disturb our conscience time and time again. We must pursue in getting rid of the sin never the person who points out the ugly side of our souls. When we are under pressure from our accomplice, we would behave differently and that is what we really are inside. May the Lord grant us the courage to face our weakness and personal sins so as to get rid of them in God’s time. May God bless you and grant you peace.