Saturday 2 January

Sts Basil & Gregory Nazianzen (M)

1 John 2:22-28; Psalm 98; John 1:19-28

Just a word or two!

John the Baptist has disturbed the peace, the false peace of social order and compliance. Hence the authorities persist in questioning him, challenging him. The pressure he felt to lapse into silence or go further away into the solitude of the desert must have been immense. Yet he did not waver. Will we ever be publicly challenged, even threatened, as John was? Probably not. But amongst family, friends or workmates have we ever chosen to remain silent when a gentle but firm word may have disturbed the external peace with the good news of God’s Kingdom?