Daily reflection _ we are called to hliness and uprightness

WE ARE CALLED TO
HOLINESS AND UPRIGHTNESS
"Jesus turns the death of those who love Him into the dawn of new life."  (Pope Francis)
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
The Church honors St. John the Baptist today. He is the highest summit of all holy and righteous men. He leaped in St. Elizabeth's womb during Mary's visit; he was Jesus' Forerunner - going before Him as His herald. In turn, Jesus Christ proclaimed and bore witness that John was superior to all the prophets, saints, and just men throughout the ages (cf Magnificat reflection). John died for the love of our Lord.
Today I am using information from other commentaries that is worth sharing, so here it goes. As Christians in our modern day society, we are also facing persecution in many ways and forms. Headlines and news stories report daily on bombings, organized attacks, and individual deaths that look like the death of John the Baptist in today's Gospel. Last Christmas, Pope Francis turned his attention to the problem of violence against Christians and said that we should not be surprised by such mistreatment since Jesus said such things would happen. "Nevertheless," stated the Holy Father, injustice like this "must be denounced and eliminated." And for those of us who do not face direct persecution, Pope Francis invited us to ask ourselves, "Am I indifferent to that or does it affect me like it's a member of the family?"
Those who are violent may think they have the upper hand. But, and I do mean but, God's steadfast love can never be taken from us. This was the hope expressed by our Pope last December: "Jesus turns the death of those who love Him into the dawn of new life."  With John the Baptist we are called to holiness and uprightness of life.
The commentaries give me and you a lot to think about!