The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
Feast of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
Today the Church honors the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Lord in both life and death. Chosen from the womb, filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth, John’s whole life was a preparation for and witness to the coming of Christ.
As the "Prophet of the Most High", John’s mission was singular: to prepare a people ready for the Lord. He did not seek attention for himself, but humbly directed all eyes to “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” He is more than a prophet. He is the voice crying out in the wilderness, the final herald before the Word Himself speaks.
St. Bede reminds us that John’s death was a testimony sealed in blood. He did not die merely for confronting Herod’s moral failings, but for standing unshakably in the truth. Since Christ is the Truth, to die for truth is to die for Christ Himself. John’s martyrdom was not a tragic end but a radiant witness—a baptism in blood that mirrored the very mission he lived: to proclaim Christ, even to the shedding of his life.
Though imprisoned in darkness, John bore witness to the Light. Though silenced by men, his voice still echoes in the Church today. His death, like his life, was a lamp pointing to Jesus.
The Church venerates his martyrdom not with sorrow but with joy, for he embraced death freely, knowing it would be the path to eternal life. He reminds us that we too are called, not only to believe in Christ but to suffer for His sake when truth demands it.
Let us ask today:
What truths am I afraid to speak?
Where am I called to be a forerunner of Christ? In my family, my work, my heart?
Do I live with the same clarity, humility, and courage as the Baptist?
St. John the Baptist, fearless witness of truth and friend of the Bridegroom, pray for us.
The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
From a homily by St Bede the Venerable, priest
Precursor of Christ in birth and death
As forerunner of our Lord’s birth, preaching and death, the blessed John showed in his struggle a goodness worthy of the sight of heaven. In the words of Scripture: Though in the sight of men he suffered torments, his hope is full of immortality. We justly commemorate the day of his birth with a joyful celebration, a day which he himself made festive for us through his suffering and which he adorned with the crimson splendour of his own blood. We do rightly revere his memory with joyful hearts, for he stamped with the seal of martyrdom the testimony which he delivered on behalf of our Lord.
There is no doubt that blessed John suffered imprisonment and chains as a witness to our Redeemer, whose forerunner he was, and gave his life for him. His persecutor had demanded not that he should deny Christ, but only that he should keep silent about the truth. Nevertheless, he died for Christ. Does Christ not say: I am the truth? Therefore, because John shed his blood for the truth, he surely died for Christ.
Through his birth, preaching and baptizing, he bore witness to the coming birth, preaching and baptism of Christ, and by his own suffering he showed that Christ also would suffer.
Such was the quality and strength of the man who accepted the end of this present life by shedding his blood after the long imprisonment. He preached the freedom of heavenly peace, yet was thrown into irons by ungodly men; he was locked away in the darkness of prison, though he came bearing witness to the Light of life and deserved to be called a bright and shining lamp by that Light itself, which is Christ. John was baptized in his own blood, though he had been privileged to baptize the Redeemer of the world, to hear the voice of the Father above him, and to see the grace of the Holy Spirit descending upon him. But to endure temporal agonies for the sake of the truth was not a heavy burden for such men as John; rather it was easily borne and even desirable, for he knew eternal joy would be his reward.
Since death was ever near at hand through the inescapable necessity of nature, such men considered it a blessing to embrace it and thus gain the reward of eternal life by acknowledging Christ’s name. Hence the apostle Paul rightly says: You have been granted the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for his sake. He tells us why it is Christ’s gift that his chosen ones should suffer for him: The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us.
© 2025, Lawain McNeil, Mission Surrender, LLC.
Another great devo! Thanks, Lawain!