In 2003 a team from Columbia University reported that the Sun’s heat had increased by 0.05 per cent a decade since the 1970s, the point when completely reliable data started to be collected. This would be enough to have a big influence on the Earth’s climate if it were a trend that had continued for many decades. The Columbia team believed that the pattern could be traced back to the mid-19th century at the very least. Others, working with carbon data material, insist that the Sun has been more vigorous in the past six decades than at any time in 8,000 years. It defies reason, surely, to conclude that this would be irrelevant to the climate. Indeed, there is a deep arrogance implicit in the sentiment that if anything on Earth is changing, human beings must be responsible.
A decade ago, H. N. Priem, the Dutch geologist, predicted: “The current and anticipated fleet of spacecraft devoted to the study of solar and solar-terrestrial physics will probably prove to have more bearing on the understanding and forecasting of climate change than the orchestrated assessments by politically motivated international panels biased towards global warming exclusively by the enhanced greenhouse effect.”
Click here for the full story.“King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘He is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’" (St. Mark 6:14-16)
Jesus’ name had become well known in Jerusalem. He had displayed many “miraculous” powers, causing some to believe that Jesus was a reincarnate John the Baptist. Herod is a part of this crowd: “John, who I beheaded, has been raised.”
Do you remember the story of St. John the Baptist’s martyrdom? John had rebuked Herod for marrying his brother’s wife, Herodias. Herod had John arrested. When Herodias’ daughter dances for Herod, he foolishly traps himself in a vow: “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” She demands John’s head, and that is what she gets.
A couple chapters later Jesus invites his disciples to answer the question, “Who do people say that I am?” The popular answers echo what had been heard earlier, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” Our Lord turns the question on Peter, and Peter gets it right - “You are the Christ!” When Jesus begins to explain that the Christ must suffer, die, and rise again on the third day, Peter won’t hear it! Peter rebukes the Lord! And then Jesus calls Peter Satan! If Herod and others believed that John could be resurrected, why couldn’t Peter believe the same concerning Christ?
Perhaps Peter hadn’t paid enough attention to John the Baptist, who, at the very beginning of Mark, confessed that he was not even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals. John became a martyr. A martyr, literally, is someone who “bears witness,” usually through one’s death, to Christ’s death and resurrection.
Fully knowing that he might be arrested and killed, John didn’t hesitate to proclaim the truth of the law to Herod. Only through repentance could Herod be prepared for the Christ who was to soon cross his path. John knew that Jesus, whom he had already baptized, was on the scene. John had nothing to fear, not even death. The One whose baptism would grant life, in the Holy Spirit, had already passed through the water when John had baptized him! Alongside John, you may also confess Christ’s truth with confidence. Even if death should threaten you, you needn’t fear, for you have been baptized into Jesus’ death and resurrection. If death couldn’t keep Christ in the grave, it can’t keep you, either. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Philippians 4:11b
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