Today, August 29, we observe the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist. Saint John bore witness to the truth, fearlessly rebuking King Herod Antipas for his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife. This courageous stand led to his imprisonment and eventual beheading at the request of Herodias’ daughter, Salome. Saint John the Baptist’s martyrdom serves as a powerful testament to faithfulness to God’s law, even to the point of death. As the Venerable Bede taught, “He was not ordered to deny Jesus Christ, but was ordered to keep silent about the truth.” Knowing that keeping silent was equivalent to denial, Saint John died for Christ, who is the Truth. His unwavering commitment to proclaiming the Gospel, regardless of the cost, continues to inspire us to stand firm in our faith and proclaim the Truth. Saint John the Baptist, pray for us!
