Beheading of John the Baptist

When we stand for the truth, the powerful will try to suppress or even punish us as John the Baptist was treated. He spoke out the truth that it was wrong for Herod to marry Herodias, his brother’s wife.

God says to Prophet Ezekiel: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth you will warn them in my name. When I say to the wicked, ‘you will surely die’, and you do not give him any warning or speak to the wicked man to give up his evil ways in order to save his life, he shall die for his sin, but I will hold you responsible for his death. But if you have warned the wicked man and he has not given up his wickedness and evil ways, he shall die for his sin but you will save yourself” (3.17-19)

When John the Baptist obeyed God, man turned against him and killed him. This is what will happen to people who obey God because nowadays we are living in a Godless society.

As St.Pope John Paul II has said “John the Baptist, unable to refrain from speaking of the Law of the Lord and rejecting any compromise with evil, gave his life in witness to truth and justice”. Holy Spirit challenges us through St. Paul: “Am I trying to win human favor, or Divine favor? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ” (Gal.1,10)

Fr.James MAriakumar SVD