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The expression “to lose one’s head” means to become confused or overly emotional about someone or something.  It’s the expression that came to my mind first today after reading the Scriptures for Mass assigned to the Martyrdom of John the Baptist.

We live in a nasty world today. We are bitterly divided on almost any issue, to such a degree that some “lose their heads” over trivial matters, like wearing a MAGA hat automatically makes one a racist or wanting to treat undocumented immigrants like human beings defines one as a socialist.  Some life is too often seen as less valuable.  It is difficult to imagine that God is happy with how this world has turned out - the tremendous injustices everywhere, and the degradation of our planet in ways that are threatening human life all over the world.

We have been called by God to love, and St. Paul says we must exercise this love to create a climate of peace within our communities and develop a sense of fellowship.  (1 Thessalonians 4:9-11)

To stand in solidarity with those who are the most rejected and marginalized in our culture, to work hard to act against the many ways we are hurting our planet and all those who are the first and worst to suffer, to act publicly and try to witness to a life of mercy and compassion, will put us at odds with very powerful forces. The forces which profit mightily to sustain systemic injustice will not surrender their power easily or kindly. We may not end up being beheaded, like John, but the backlash to living the way of Jesus will be strong and powerful. John's courage and integrity can be a great grace for us, individually, and as a faith community, as we meditate upon the message of his martyrdom today.