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<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\nThe Baptist\u2019s Final Sermon<\/b><\/h4>\nMemorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist, August 29<\/i><\/b><\/h5>\n
Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, \u201cIt is not lawful for you to have your brother\u2019s wife.\u201d Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. <\/span><\/i>Mark 6:17\u201319<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n Today\u2019s memorial recalls one of the most appalling acts of murder the world has ever known, surpassed only by the crucifixion of the Son of God. Saint John the Baptist stands as a towering figure in Salvation History. Though God raised up many prophets from the time of Israel\u2019s founding, none was greater than John, as our Lord Himself declared, \u201cAmong those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist\u201d (<\/span>Matthew 11:11<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n John was miraculously conceived by elderly parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, after long years of barrenness. The Archangel Gabriel foretold his birth, identifying him as the one who would go before the Lord \u201cin the spirit and power of Elijah\u201d (<\/span>Luke 1:17<\/span><\/a>). According to ancient Christian tradition, John was sanctified in his mother\u2019s womb at the moment of the Visitation. When the Blessed Virgin Mary, newly pregnant with the Son of God, greeted her kinswoman Elizabeth, \u201cthe infant leaped in her womb,\u201d and Elizabeth was \u201cfilled with the Holy Spirit\u201d (<\/span>Luke 1:41<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n From the desert, John preached repentance, preparing hearts for the coming of the Messiah. But his boldness went beyond gentle invitations to conversion. He confronted the most powerful of his time, publicly rebuking Herod Antipas for his unlawful union with Herodias, his brother\u2019s wife. This courageous act of prophetic truth-telling cost John his freedom and, ultimately, his life.<\/span><\/p>\n Reflect today on your own willingness to imitate Saint John\u2019s bold fidelity. How far are you willing to go to proclaim the Gospel to those who need it most? No sacrifice is too great, no cost too high when it comes to responding to Christ\u2019s call. Give everything for the Truth, and your witness will bear eternal fruit.<\/span><\/p>\n My sorrowful Lord, Your Heart was grieved at the death of Saint John the Baptist, yet it also rejoiced in his unwavering fidelity to the truth he proclaimed with boldness and love. Fill me, too, with the spirit and power of Elijah, that I may carry on the proclamation of salvation in the way You have called me, even to the shedding of my blood, if You so will. Jesus, I trust in You.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n https:\/\/mycatholic.life\/books\/catholic-daily-reflections-series-three\/weeks-18-34-of-ordinary-time-catholic-daily-reflections-series-three\/feasts-and-solemnities\/#Aug29<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n