The Price Herod Could Never Pay | St. John the Baptist

About this sermon

Herod promised up to half his kingdom—but the head of St. John the Baptist was worth infinitely more. This sermon begins with St. Sabina and St. Seraphia, two Roman martyrs whose lives reveal the priceless value of virginity, humility, and fidelity. Seraphia surrendered her fortune and noble status to preserve her consecration to God. Her holy example converted Sabina, who later buried her martyr’s remains and followed her in giving her life for Christ. The sermon then examines why the Church uniquely celebrates the birth of St. John the Baptist. Cleansed from original sin in his mother’s womb, John entered the world already sanctified by grace. After confronting Herod’s unlawful union with Herodias, John was imprisoned and beheaded. But what happened afterward? His disciples buried his body at Sebaste. His head, cast into a dung heap by Herodias, was rescued according to tradition by Joanna, the wife of Chuza mentioned in Luke 8. This account also answers common objections concerning the competing claims to St. John’s head and the supposed abundance of relics of the True Cross. The central lesson is the incomparable value of sanctity. Herod failed to recognize that John’s head was worth more than his entire kingdom. Gluttony, drunkenness, lust, pride, and human respect had blinded everyone at his banquet to spiritual reality. We face the same danger whenever earthly concerns cloud our vision of eternity. Prayer, retreats, and spiritual reading restore the proper perspective: this world is not our final home, and nothing is more valuable than the salvation of our souls. Sts. John the Baptist, Sabina, and Seraphia, pray for us! 00:00 Beheading of St. John the Baptist 00:34 St. Sabina, Roman martyr 00:42 The extraordinary life of St. Seraphia 00:50 She gives her fortune to the poor 01:05 Selling herself into slavery 01:20 Seraphia converts her Roman mistress 01:35 The martyrdoms of Seraphia and Sabina 01:59 St. John the Baptist 02:15 Greatest among those born of woman 02:22 Why saints’ deaths become their feast days 02:40 Why St. John’s birthday is celebrated 03:10 Sanctified within Elizabeth’s womb 03:40 The Gospel account of his beheading 03:48 Martyrdom followed by multiplication 04:11 John condemns Herod’s unlawful union 04:36 The dance and Herod’s foolish oath 04:59 The Baptist’s head is demanded 05:21 What happened after the beheading? 05:29 His burial at Sebaste 05:37 Julian the Apostate destroys the church 06:00 Joanna rescues St. John’s head 06:17 Joanna in the Gospel of Luke 06:56 How many churches possess his head? 07:29 The authentic relics explained 07:46 The splinters of the True Cross 08:31 The priceless value of sanctity 08:48 Poverty, chastity, and obedience 09:37 Why Herod violated his own oath 10:07 Daniel defends the innocent Susanna 10:32 A banquet blinded to spiritual value 10:46 Enmeshed in the things of this world 11:04 Why we need prayer and spiritual reading 11:27 Anger with God and distorted priorities 11:50 Asking St. John for spiritual clarity 12:13 Subscribe and support Sensus Fidelium Please remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest #StJohnTheBaptist #CatholicFaith #FeastDay #CatholicSaints #Martyrdom #CatholicReflection #CatholicChurch #FaithAndTruth 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ 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/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴