29 August 2011: Memorial -- The beheading of John the Baptist

St John the Baptist fearlessly condemned Herod’s unlawful marriage to Herodias who had him imprisoned; teaches us how to fulfill our mission from God. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1626)
Herodias harbored a grudge against John for telling Herod, “It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife” (cf Mark, 6:18), and wanted to kill him. Her chance came when Herod held a birthday dinner for his court circle, military officers, and leading men of Galilee.
Herodias’ daughter danced and delighted Herod and his guests. Herod told the girl, “Ask for anything and I will give it to you”. The girl asked her mother, “What shall I ask?” The mother answered, “The head of John the Baptizer”. And the girl made her request to Herod. (cf Mark, 6:19, 21-5)
Contrast this mother’s behavior with that of St Monica.

St John the Baptist, Forerunner of Jesus Christ
Christ gives testimony of His precursor in the Jordan region in metaphorical and powerful terms. He asks his hearers: “What did you go out to see in the desert, a reed swayed by the wind? What, really, did you go out to see, someone dressed luxuriously?” (Lk 7:24-5)
Christ put this question in rhetorical form so that, through the negation, the evident truth of who John was could be seen even better. He was not ‘swayed’ like a reed in the wind, but professed the truth in a simple and fundamental way, and proclaimed it. He was not dressed in fine raiment but in a garment of camel’s hair (cf Mt 3:4); the only detail about his mortified life.
Yes, John was a prophet. He was “something more” (Lk 7:26). Christ says of him, “There is no man born of woman greater than John” (Lk 7:28). Why do we dwell on this testimony which Christ gives to John?
To make us aware as well of the significance of the word of truth, which we profess that Christ is “the Lamb of God”, He who takes away the sin of the world (cf Jn 1:29), exactly what John professed.
You see, each of us pronounces such words when he or she confesses sin in the Sacrament of penance so that the Lamb of God will take away that sin. To whoever among us confesses that word of truth with humility and contrition Christ gives similar testimony, like that which he gave to John: “Yet the least born into the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Lk 7:28)
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p25

The fortitude of St John the Baptist
Herod, one of the most pitiful characters in the Gospel, could have met Christ, whom he longed to see in person; but he committed the injustice of beheading the one entrusted with the mission of pointing Him out. Immoral habits and evil passions led him to the awful crime. Moreover, they prevented him from perceiving Truth. When he finally did meet Christ face to face he blasphemously proposed the Lord of heaven and earth to entertain him and his friends with a miracle.
The Lord asks for our fortitude in everyday affairs. He wants our exemplary life and words to be a simple witness of our love for Christ and for his Church without our ever yielding to fear or human respect.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:127-8

The value of our souls
‘Nothing is of equal value to a soul, not even the whole world’, says St John Chrysostom. One soul is worth infinitely more than all this vast universe in its grandeur and beauty. All of it is material and will be destroyed, while our soul is a spiritual being. Immortal and intelligent, it is destined for a supernatural life.
From this undeniable truth the doctors of the Church drew an equally-indisputable conclusion, ie, the loss of the whole world is preferable to that of one soul. And yet how many souls are perishing every minute!
‘I have seen them in a vision’, says St Teresa, ‘falling into hell like the leaves fall from the trees in autumn’. Since then she redoubled her prayers, tears, and penances for conversion of those walking in the path of perdition. And I, what pains do I take in saving souls?
By the rebellion of the first man, Adam, our souls fell under the power of the devil. And Adam was also condemned to eternal death. Only God made man, Jesus Christ, could redeem him, for so he willed it. But what was to be the price of that redemption?
‘O man’, cries St Augustine ‘will you learn the true value of your soul? See what the Son of God has done for the ransom of your soul, and you will know what it is worth.’
Our soul has been redeemed, ‘Not with corruptible things, as gold or silver’, says St Peter; ‘but with the precious blood of Christ’. Our Lord, then, who alone can judge things at their true value, did not think it too much to give the last drop of his blood for our souls.
What have I done for my soul? Do I esteem and love it next to God? Do I not think more of my reputation or of my body than my soul? The least imputation troubles and pains me, and yet I do not care for the numberless stains by which venial sin defaces my soul.
‘I am eager to enrich my mind with knowledge, and I am slow and remiss in adorning my soul with virtues and merits. Under a little suffering, or in a slight bodily indisposition, I see a doctor, and I have courage if need be, to submit to painful remedies; but when my soul is wasting away with a disease which may be fatal, I neglect to see the spiritual physician, or to employ the remedies his experience and zeal suggest to me.’
‘Our souls are truly invaluable’ because --
1. As a breath of the Divinity, He ‘breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a living soul’.
2. God made it to His own likeness; and it is the living image to God on the earth.
3. God made-man has sacrificed himself for it: “He offered himself for me.” (St Paul)
4. God will give Himself to the soul for its reward.
As Our Lord emphasized, “What do you win by gaining the whole world and ruin your soul? Or what can a man offer in return for his soul?” (cf Mk 8:36-7)
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp539-41

• Our Lady of Clermont, ten leagues from Cracow, where there is a picture painted by St Luke, and sent to the Empress St Pulcheria ; that princess placed it in the church of Our Lady of the Guides, at Constantinople, from which it was taken by Leo, Duke of Russia. The Duke of Opolia wanted to remove it to his duchy, in the year 1380; but when he had got to the mountain of Clermont, it became so heavy that it was impossible to carry it farther; and seeing by this miracle that the Blessed Virgin had chosen that mountain for her abode, they built a church there. — Bzovius, ad ann. 1383. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Clermont. Cracovia / Cracow. Poland. 1380. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• “Madonna della Guardia”. Livellato, Italy. 1940 apparition. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)