Today's Pause+Pray asks for empathy and understanding. đ
Dear John,
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Saint of the Day for August 29: Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist (1st. century)
The Story of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist
The drunken oath of a king with a shallow sense of honor, a seductive dance and the hateful heart of a queen combined to bring about the martyrdom of John the Baptist. The greatest of prophets suffered the fate of so many Old Testament prophets before him: rejection and martyrdom. The âvoice crying in the desertâ did not hesitate to accuse the guilty, did not hesitate to speak the truth. But why? What possesses a man that he would give up his very life? This great religious reformer was sent by God to prepare the people for the Messiah. His vocation was one of selfless giving. The only power that he claimed was the Spirit of Yahweh. âI am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fireâ (Matthew 3:11). Scripture tells us that many people followed John looking to him for hope, perhaps in anticipation of some great messianic power. John never allowed himself the false honor of receiving these people for his own glory. He knew his calling was one of preparation. When the time came, he led his disciples to Jesus: âThe next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, âBehold, the Lamb of God.â The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesusâ (John 1:35-37). It is John the Baptist who has pointed the way to Christ. Johnâs life and death were a giving over of self for God and other people. His simple style of life was one of complete detachment from earthly possessions. His heart was centered on God and the call that he heard from the Spirit of God speaking to his heart. Confident of Godâs grace, he had the courage to speak words of condemnation, repentance, and salvation. Reflection Each of us has a calling to which we must listen. No one will ever repeat the mission of John, and yet all of us are called to that very mission. It is the role of the Christian to witness to Jesus. Whatever our position in this world, we are called to be disciples of Christ. By our words and deeds, others should realize that we live in the joy of knowing that Jesus is Lord. We do not have to depend upon our own limited resources, but can draw strength from the vastness of Christâs saving grace.
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Boldest Flower in Assisi I remember when I was in Assisi and looked out over the valley below the city. I would take in the beauty of the wide array of flowers spread across the landscape. It was a feast for the eyes. And it made me think of St. Clare. Clare often called herself the âlittle plant of St. Francis.â And while St. Francis may have helped start her growth, she certainly did most of the growing and spreading on her own. Just like the many flowers in Assisi, Clare shared the beauty of her faith for all to see through her actions and words. From inside the walls of San Damiano, she grew and nurtured a community of sisters that flourished and spread far and wide, even to this day. There is great beauty in that. âfrom St. Anthony Messengerâs âWords of Wisdom from St. Clareâ
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Leadership with a Heart Reflect Compassion is more than just feeling sympathy or pity for others; itâs about actively seeking to alleviate suffering and promote the well-being of all those we encounter. Embracing compassion as a Franciscan leader means fostering a culture of care and concern within our teams and organizations. It means creating space for open and honest communication, where individuals feel safe to share their struggles and vulnerabilities without fear of judgment or reprisal. It means taking the time to listen deeply to the stories and experiences of others and responding with kindness and empathy. Pray Good and gracious God,
Help us embrace compassion as a guiding principle of our leadership,
recognizing that true greatness lies not in power or prestige,
but in service to others with love and empathy.
Help us to lead with compassion
so that we bear witness to the transformative power of your love and grace
in the lives of those whom we serve and encounter.
Amen. Act Offer a prayer for empathy and understanding, asking God to help you lead with compassion and kindness in all that you do. Todayâs Pause+Pray was written by Paul Lipowski. Learn more here! |
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