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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. Mark
6:17–19
The suffering and death of Saint John the Baptist greatly parallels
the suffering and death of Jesus. They were cousins. John was one
of the first to acknowledge the divine presence of our Lord when he
leaped for joy in the womb of his mother during the Visitation of
Mary to Elizabeth. John lived a holy and simple life, embracing His
mission to prepare the way for the Lord. He was the last and
greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Of him, Jesus said that
there was no one born of woman who was greater than John. For these
reasons, we should not be the least bit surprised that John’s
suffering and death parallelled and prefigured the death of the
Savior of the World.
Herod was fearful of John, believing him to be a holy man of God.
He imprisoned him with a certain regret, knowing that he was
innocent. Similarly, before Pilate condemned Jesus to death, he
found Him not guilty of any crime. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent
but allowed fear to direct his choice to condemn our Lord.
John was ultimately killed because of the hatred and plotting of
Herodias, the unlawful wife of Herod. It was Herodias’ anger that
became a weapon, forcing Herod to put John to death. Similarly, it
was the jealousy and anger of the religious leaders at that time
that instigated and drove the death of Jesus. Pilate, like Herod,
was at first unwilling to condemn our Lord. But the relentless
hatred of the scribes and Pharisees compelled Pilate to condemn
Jesus, just as it was Herodias’ hatred that compelled Herod to kill
John.
After John’s death, some of his disciples came to carry his body
away for burial. This was permitted by Herod, perhaps because of
his feelings of guilt. So also with our Lord, Pilate permitted some
disciples and the holy women to carry Jesus’ dead body to the tomb
for burial.
In the end, the good fruit of Jesus’ death infinitely overshadowed
the crime that was committed against Him. So also with John. We can
be certain that, as a martyr, the blood he shed as a witness to
Christ bore spiritual fruit that surpassed all he had done in his
public ministry.
Each of us is called to imitate our Lord and, therefore, should
also take inspiration from Saint John the Baptist. They both were
innocent but suffered greatly. They both spoke the truth, despite
the hatred of some. They both gave their lives, in accord with the
Father’s plan. Jesus was John’s Savior; John was but a precursor
and servant of our Lord.
Reflect, today, upon the invitation God has given to you to imitate
the life of John the Baptist by uniting yourself to his Lord. The
first form of imitation will take place when you commit yourself to
the proclamation of the truth in accord with your mission. What
mission has God given to you? How is He calling you to proclaim the
Gospel with courage, strength, determination and fidelity to the
end?
Reflect, also, upon the injustice inflicted first upon John and
then upon our Lord. As you do, try to look at any injustice you
have received in life in the light of John’s and Jesus’ lives. They
did not run away from injustice. They embraced it as a sacrifice
and offered it to the Father in Heaven. Jesus’ Sacrifice brought
forth the Salvation of the World; John’s was but a sharing in that
glorious offering. Make your offering with them, and do not
hesitate to do so with deep love and trust in the Father’s
plan.
Most glorious Lord, You invited Saint John the Baptist to
prepare the way for Your coming and Your death. He gave his life as
a martyr, and this sacrifice bore an abundance of good fruit.
Please give me the grace to walk in his footsteps by faithfully
fulfilling my mission in life with courage and strength. May I
never waver in the face of injustice so that I can embrace it and
make it my spiritual offering to You. Jesus, I trust in
You.
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Featured Image above: The painting of Decapitation of st.
John the Baptist in church Chiesa di Santo Stefano by Sebastiano
Galeotti, via Adobe
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