Feb 6, 2015 - "I Will Never Forsake You...."

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

Scripture Readings

This week is a good week for me to be reminded that God does not forsake us. I'm mindful of Christians throughout the world who are suffering, physically and mentally, at the hands of people who find Christianity to be a problem. Much more trivially, I reflect on my own situation this week - I've been to the ER twice (I'm fine, and the baby's fine, but prayers appreciated!), and passed over for a couple of important things at work.
 
So I'm taking to heart the words of today's first scripture reading (Hebrews 13:1-8), where the author speaks very practically about what it means to live as believers in Jesus Christ. We are to be hospitable, caring for prisoners, keeping our marriages holy, not worrying about money. And in these things, God promises not to forsake us but to be with us.

It can be difficult to act from a spirit of generosity and love, especially if you feel like the world isn't acting lovingly or generously to you. But that's exactly what today's scriptures call us to do. 

Today's gospel gives us a reminder (Mark 6:14-29) of some of the ways God does not forsake us, even in something as permanent as death. In this passage, John the Baptist is in prison, but Herod doesn't know what to do with him. John the Baptist admonishes Herod to live exactly the kind of life that we see extolled in today's first scripture reading - for example, not to commit adultery. 

John's desire to be holy rubs some of the people the wrong way, and they demand John's head. In an action that mirrors what we later know will happen to Jesus at Pilate's reluctant hands, Herod reluctantly asks for John to be beheaded in prison - and then John's disciples lay him in a tomb. 

But John knew that death was not the end - that God would not forsake him. Christians continue to celebrate both his birth and death days because John is so important a witness to us of believing in God, especially in a world that wants to reject God.

Today's memorial of Saint Paul Miki and companions also honors people who died for their faith because they found themselves in a world that didn't understand, and radically rejected, Jesus' message of love, hospitality, generosity and the fact that God will never forsake us.

Most Christians these days do not die physical deaths because of our beliefs. But we can and do experience ridicule and persecution for our faith and for the way of life we seek to cultivate. 

Today, let us seek to be loving and generous and hospitable, especially when confronted with people who make us want to do exactly the opposite! And as we do so, let us remember that God will never forsake us.

- Jana M. Bennett