waste or sacrifice?
“Bring me the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.” —Matthew 14:8
Today’s Mass readings focus on two holy men whose lives were disregarded by powerful people. Jeremiah’s life was on the brink of being terminated by angry religious leaders (Jer 26:11ff). Mercifully, his life was spared (Jer 26:24). St. John the Baptizer’s life was sacrificed as a wasteful act by King Herod to reward his wife’s daughter for a dance (Mt 14:10ff).
Think of a perfect, unblemished lamb at the time of Christ. The baby lamb grows for a year and then is brought to the Temple to be sacrificed. Its life exists for one purpose only: to be ended early in sacrifice as an act of worship to God. Jesus Himself was the unblemished “Lamb of God” (Jn 1:29), Who came down from heaven to be offered for our salvation. His life was sacrificed on a cross to satisfy the jealous religious leaders.
Now think of your own life. Has your life been wasted by others who do not care about your welfare? If so, can you offer your life to God as a living sacrifice (Rm 12:1), an act of worship to God?
It may seem that you have spent your life in vain (Is 49:4), to no purpose. Perhaps your life has even been misused by the wicked of the world. Yet your sacrificed life, when offered to God, is of inestimable value. With the Lord, nothing is wasted (Mt 14:20). Offer your entire life to God as a sacrifice of praise (Ps 50:23). Then your life will be a hidden treasure in His Kingdom (Mt 13:44).
Prayer: Father, may I never waste even a day of my life when instead I could be sacrificially loving and serving You.
Promise: “The Lord hears the poor, and His own who are in bonds He spurns not.” —Ps 69:34
Praise: One of St. Alphonsus’ parishioners told him: “It’s a pleasure to listen to your sermons; you forget yourself and preach Jesus Christ.”
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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