Martyrdom St John Baptist -29th August

Martyrdom St John Baptist -29th August
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Martyrdom St John Baptist
-29th August

St. John, the Baptist was called by God to be the forerunner of His divine Son. Scripture tells us that many people followed John looking to him for hope, perhaps in anticipation of some great messianic power. John never allowed himself the false honor of receiving these people for his own glory. The only power that he claimed was the Spirit of Yahweh. “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”

Confident of God’s grace, he had the courage to speak words of condemnation, repentance, and salvation. He had the courage to blame Herod to his face for the scandal of his illegal union with his sister-in-law Herodias, whose husband was still alive. Herodias contrived to make Herod imprison him. Salome, daughter of Herodias pleased Herod by her dancing. He promised her to grant whatever she asked. Salome went to consult with her mother. Herodias took advantage of this opportunity and instructed her daughter to demand the Head of John. Herod was grieved by this request, for he esteemed the Baptist; yet to abide by his impious oath, he sent an officer to the prison, and St. John was beheaded to satisfy the revenge of a voluptuous woman. His persecutor had demanded not that he should deny Christ, but only that he should keep silent about the truth. Nevertheless, John shed his blood for the truth.

The drunken oath of a king with a shallow sense of honor, a seductive dance and the hateful heart of a queen combined to bring about the martyrdom of John the Baptist.