The Passion of Saint John the Baptizer

Why is it that so many people make the mistake of believing if you are a Christian, your life will somehow be better for it? That sorrow won’t darken your door? Have these people ever read the Bible?

Job immediately springs to mind. His faith was put to the test. God gave Zebedee a son in his old age who grew up to be a forerunner of the coming Christ. He spent his days in the wilderness living on locusts and wild honey. He had no wife for companionship, no children. In the end John was beheaded because he refused to be silenced.

Prepare the way. This meant stop living a sinful, indulgent lifestyle. Not even someone as powerful as King Herod was spared from John’s wrath, pointing him out as a sinful man. To be a true Christian, to speak out in the town square has great rewards in heaven, but sometimes comes at a price here on earth. While the public pendulum is slowly swinging in favor of the righteous, even in this country there are those who are persecuted for their faith. All you need do is to look at the public reaction to those who speak out against transgender ideology or are against the slaughter of the unborn. They are called homophobic, or oppressors of a woman’s right to choose. While these are issues filled with emotion, even some of the more simple things such as public prayer come under attack.

Few of us in the modern world would be asked to forfeit our lives for our faith, but if we were, how many among you would be willing to die? I for one believe that true Christians would make that sacrifice, knowing that this life is merely a stepping stone to the next. And in the next is life everlasting.

Today we celebrate not only the life of Saint John the Baptizer, but his willingness to be martyred for his faith. Blessed be those who would lay down their lives that others might be saved. It is for this reason that all are called to the faith, and why not all will answer.

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One Pot Taco Rigatoni
1 lb Ground Beef
1/2 lb Chorizo
3 tablespoons Taco Seasoning
2 cups Rigatoni Pasta
1 (4 oz) can Chopped Green Chilies or Jalapeños
1 (16 oz) can Stewed Mexican Tomatoes
2 cups Beef Stock
1 cup Mexican Cheese Blend
1 Green Onion

Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and chorizo; cook until brown, crumbling as it cooks.

Add taco seasoning mix, stirring to coat beef. Add pasta, chilies, salsa and beef stock, stirring to combine. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to simmering. Cover; cook about 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until pasta is tender.

Note: If Rigatoni is becoming too dry and the noodles are not tender, add more beef stock or water and continue to cook.

Remove from heat; stir in cheese. Cover; let stand about 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

With Scissors, snip green onion tops, scatter over the pasta just before serving. Dish up the Taco Rigatoni into shallow bowls (not plates or platters).

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What did you go out to the desert to see?
A reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Matthew 11:7