Today, August 29, is the Memorial of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.

Mark 6:17-29

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, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias’ daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oath and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

It is never easy to speak truth to power. The consequences are often hard for those who dare to do so.

John the Baptist spoke the truth to Herod and his wife, Herodias. According to the law of Leviticus (Lev 18:16), it was unlawful for Herod to have married and laid with his brother’s wife. Herod knew this. So did John. John had the courage to speak this truth to Herod, likely more out of genuine concern for Herod’s soul than for any sort of power play John was attempting. Herod didn’t like the message, and neither did his wife. Herodias wanted John dead. The opportunity came when her daughter danced before Herod and his guests at Herod’s birthday party. So exotic and enticing (Mark says Herod was “delighted” – but we know exactly what he means!) was the girl’s dance that Herod promised her anything she asked for, up to half his kingdom. That’s quite a pledge! When she asked for John’s head on a platter, Herod was distressed. He hated John and his rebukes, but he also respected him and liked listening to his preaching. As well, John was popular with the people. Executing him would give the radicals one more reason to hate Herod and plot an uprising. Even still, having made the promise publicly, Herod could hardly deny her. Thus was the value placed on human life in the ancient world – killing an innocent man to fulfill a promise to a girl in exchange for a dance. Wait … did I say “the ancient world”? Thus is the value placed on human life today – killing an innocent man because he gave you cold fries at McDonald’s.

John lost his life because he spoke truth to power, and those in power could not tolerate it.

Simply being a devout Catholic who actually lives the faith can be risky business today. We’re not likely to lose our heads in this country, but we may lose our friends or family members, or our jobs. Being Catholic means something, or ought to, and for those for whom being Catholic does mean something, it might mean saying things that others don’t like to hear. And it may mean suffering loss because of it. It’s called “white martyrdom,” and it’s a concept that could use some sprucing up. The Church used to speak of white martyrdom pretty frequently. We need to get the concept back in the heads of Catholics because, quite frankly, ours is a culture that has turned its back on Christ. Many prominent Catholics, sadly, have done the same. These two realities have created a third: the expectation that Catholics not take the faith and morals of the Church seriously, at least not in the public square. When we do, we can get roasted. We need to be prepared to get roasted.

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.