Today’s Gospel begins with Jesus trying to get away. Matthew tells us that Jesus withdrew by boat to a deserted place. He had just learned that John the Baptist had been murdered by Herod. John—Jesus’ cousin, teacher, baptizer, and fellow prophet—had been executed because he dared to speak truth to power. Jesus must have been […]
Another week with John the Baptist. I think we can all agree that for us, citizens of the Western world in the 21st century, he is a strange and uncomprehensible figure. With his wild appearance, strange diet and apocalyptic words he is more than a little off-putting to us and our modern sensibilities. We know […]