The Beheading Of Saint John The Baptist

Do I have enough faith and courage to speak up when I know something is not right, true, or just like St. John the Baptist?

Thess. 2:1-8
Mark 16:17-29

Among the sons of men, the Lord says that John was the greatest. Matthew 11:11. No wonder, the Church celebrates his birth on the 24th of June and his death which is today the 29th of August. John the Baptist had a single mission, to point at the Messiah. From the womb, he leaped for joy at the presence of Mary who had already conceived Jesus in her womb. As a young man, he went into the wilderness to prepare for the coming of Christ. In his preaching, he told the people to prepare a way for the Lord and make his path straight through repentance and mortification. And when the Lord appeared, he pointed him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

John was a man of truth and courage. He had tongues as sharp as a two-edged sword. John chastised King Herod Antipas and Herodias for their adulterous relationship and called the religious leaders a brood of vipers. The king and religious leaders were furious with John. John was arrested and put in prison. Sad to say, the dedicated, heroic life of John the Baptist ended with the almost ludicrous actions of King Herod.  Herod was a petty ruler, the pawn of an unscrupulous wife; he allowed himself to become enraptured by the party-dancing of Herodias’ daughter.  So taken up by the party, the people present, and the dancing of his daughter, Herod publicly promised her anything – even swearing regarding his intentions!  The outcome:  John the Baptist was murdered per the request of Herodias relayed through her daughter, beheaded as the party ended.  John’s heroic life tragically ended as a victim of humanness, weakness, and sinfulness. Do I praise the Herod of our days for their incredibility or do I listen to the unpopular speakers of truth in my generation?

In Saint Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he speaks of having the courage to proclaim the Gospel and that he and his companions speak to please God and not men. Someone who knows how to use words can motivate a group of people to do better. A coach of a sports team motivates athletes to win a championship. A leader of a military unit exhorts the troops to push forward under heavy artillery. A politician campaigning for an office rallies the supporters to gain voters. All have the gift of speech. This is a special gift that can have a positive or negative effect on individuals or a group. The Word of God is powerful because it especially speaks to each soul. The Word of God is meant to bring us closer to God in our relationship with him. Many graces/gifts come through this Word which builds up the Body of Christ. Do I have enough faith to speak about my faith to others?

Like John the Baptist and St. Paul, we are called to point out Jesus in our world, to unselfishly love and serve the Lord, day by day, even in the hum-drum times of everyday life.  Our love for Jesus is to be expressed in simple, practical ways like hospitality, concern for the needy, faithfulness to our vocations, detachment from things, and reliance on God.

Fr Joseph Osho