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Acknowledge Your Sins and Proclaim the Truth

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Acknowledge Your Sins and Proclaim the Truth

Gospel Reflection for August 29, 2022

Lexis Challen
Aug 29, 2022
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Acknowledge Your Sins and Proclaim the Truth

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“Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him.” (Mark 6:17-20 NABRE)

We are compelled by today’s Gospel to ask ourselves two very important questions. The first question is, am I a witness to the truth? John the Baptist did not let anything or anyone hinder him from proclaiming the truth. He didn’t even let fear of losing his life stop him from preaching the Kingdom’s coming and from preparing the way of the Lord.

John didn’t regard, nor fear, the opinions or power of man as he did the work of the Lord. As the saying goes, John “told it like it is.” Do we, too, proclaim the truth as it is? Or do we filter the truth and water it down depending on who we are talking to, because we fear what others might think? Like John, we must set our eyes on God and eagerly proclaim the truth everywhere and always.

The second question we must ask ourselves is, do I accept constructive and honest criticism? Herod liked listening to John the Baptist. However, when John spoke out against his marriage, Herod refused to acknowledge his wrongs. In contrast to John, Herod worried not about pleasing the Lord, but about appearances and impressing others. For example, Herod only wished to keep John in custody, yet, when his daughter asked for John’s head, “the king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her.” (Mark 6:26)

Herod worried more about what others would think, then about doing what was right. Do we, too, sometimes bend our morals in order to please others? Like Herod, do we ever refuse to accept correction from the Lord? Do we know we’ve done something wrong, but fail to amend our lives?

Lord Jesus, please always help us to humbly acknowledge our faults and sins, to repent, and to turn our lives back to You. Help us to follow John’s example by always and unwaveringly proclaiming the truth to others.

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Acknowledge Your Sins and Proclaim the Truth

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4 Comments
Scoot
Writes The Peasant Times-Dispatch
Aug 29, 2022Liked by Lexis Challen

An influential catholic blogger who went by the name "Zippy Catholic" once said "The problem is you and the solution is repentance". It's a bold take but really helped me scour motes from my eyes before complaining about beams found elsewhere. Zippy's short axiom mirrors John the Baptist's tough love. I can easily imagine John telling Herod "The problem is you, and the solution is repentance".

Thank you for this wonderful reflection!

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Karen Crowley
Aug 29, 2022·edited Aug 29, 2022Liked by Lexis Challen

Wow!!!!! LOVE THIS TRUTH!!!! Way to tell it like it is Lexis!!! Been walking with Jesus a long time and have seen the worlds ways seep into the church. Christians supporting Candidates that support the death of the unborn all the way to Birth, Tragic! Watering down Gods word avails nothing it is dangerous. I have recently seen a shift towards boldness in not compromising the Word of God. If an army watered down their mission they would never win the war! THANK YOU for being that example of Gods Love, Power and the way we should walk His word!!!! 👍😀🦅🙌🏼❤️

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