August 29th the Solemnity of the Passion of John the Baptist. He was God’s chosen one to prepare the way for Jesus. He remained unwavering even to the moment of his martyrdom. The Gospel of Mark (6:17-29) gives the account of his death – he was beheaded at the command of Herodias, the wife of Herod Antipas. She despised him. He was a threat to her position. So, she manipulated her daughter to ask for John’s head on a platter upon Herod telling the royal young lady he would grant her anything she wanted for performing a graceful and captivating dance at one of the royal gatherings. Reluctant, but true to his word, he had guards decapitate John the Baptist and presented the daughter with his head.
The disciples heard of this horrendous event and recovered the body to bury him.
John the Baptist was considered a great prophet. Even Jesus said he was “more than a prophet.”
“Truly I say unto you, among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:9-15).
When the disciples told Jesus of His cousin John’s passion, He went off… alone…by boat (Matthew 14:13).
When he returned, he found 5,000 people who had heard and followed him. He healed them, preached, and with only five loaves and two fish, fed them.
