The Decollation of St. John the Baptist (29 August): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

On August 29, the Church commemorates the Beheading—or Decollation—of St. John the Baptist, the fearless Forerunner of Jesus Christ. Called by God to prepare the way of the Lord, John preached repentance, baptized in the Jordan, and directed every soul away from himself and toward Christ: “Behold the Lamb of God.” This reading from Father Alban Butler’s Lives of the Saints recounts John’s austere life in the wilderness, his extraordinary humility, his baptism of repentance, and his courageous defense of God’s law. Neither royal power nor public opinion could silence him. When Herod Antipas unlawfully took Herodias, his brother’s wife, John declared plainly: “It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.” Herod imprisoned the prophet, yet continued to fear and respect him. But after Salome danced at the royal banquet, Herodias seized her opportunity and demanded John’s head. Bound by pride, passion, and fear of those around him, Herod ordered the innocent saint’s execution. St. John died a martyr for truth, purity, marriage, and the law of God. His witness challenges every Christian—and especially every preacher—to seek no worldly applause, compromise no divine truth, and become merely a voice through which Christ may be known, loved, and obeyed. May St. John the Baptist obtain for us courage, repentance, purity, and profound humility. 00:00 The Beheading of St. John the Baptist 00:16 The Forerunner’s divine mission 01:01 John’s life of prayer and penance 01:49 A model for Christian youth 02:21 A warning to ministers of God 03:09 Preparing the way of the Lord 03:49 John preaches repentance 04:46 The baptism of John explained 05:57 Jesus is baptized in the Jordan 06:43 “I am not the Christ” 08:55 The voice crying in the wilderness 10:21 Behold the Lamb of God 11:02 A model for every preacher 11:42 Herod’s unlawful marriage 12:35 “It is not lawful for thee” 13:39 John imprisoned at Machaerus 14:30 Herod’s birthday banquet 16:00 Salome dances before Herod 16:33 Herodias demands John’s head 17:06 Herod’s cowardice and remorse 19:02 The Baptist is beheaded 19:43 Josephus on John the Baptist 20:17 The downfall of Herod and Herodias 21:36 The Baptist’s relics 23:19 Martyr, virgin, doctor, and prophet 23:36 John’s foundation of humility #SaintJohnTheBaptist #BeheadingOfJohnTheBaptist #DecollationOfSaintJohn #CatholicSaints #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicHistory #CatholicFaith #CatholicTradition #HerodAntipas #Herodias #Salome #ChristianMartyr #August29 #TraditionalCatholic #SensusFidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/august/the-decollation-of-st-john-baptist/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴