HOMILY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF THE MARTYRDOM OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
Homily for Monday of the 22nd week in the ordinary time year II (Memorial of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist). Jeremiah 1:17-29; Mark 6:17-29. Today, the Holy Mother Church celebrates the memorial of the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, the forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is so special a saint whom the church revers both at the circumstance of his birth and that of his death. John the Baptist, died a martyr for his courageous proclamation of the truth of the indissolubility of marriage. A reaffirmation of the teachings of Jesus on marriage: “They are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, whatever God has joined together, let no man put asunder” (Mt 19:6). John the Baptist, declared that it was not lawful for King Herod to take his brother Philip's wife (Herodias), while his brother Philip was still alive (Mk 6:17-18). Maintaining that it was against the commandment of God, He reproached king Herold for such an atrocious and unacceptable act. Although he was...