The Tongue Herod Could Never Silence | St. John the Baptist

About this sermon

On August 29, the Church commemorates the Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John—the man whom Christ called the greatest born of woman. St. John leapt for joy in his mother’s womb at the approach of the unborn Messiah. As an adult, he withdrew into the desert, clothed himself in camel hair, and lived on locusts and wild honey. Free from worldly cares, he preached repentance, baptized in the Jordan, prepared the way of the Lord, and became a witness to the revelation of the Holy Trinity. Because St. John valued the divine law above everything else, he fearlessly confronted Herod Antipas over his unlawful union with Herodias: “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herod imprisoned him, and Herodias eventually secured his execution through her daughter’s dance and Herod’s cowardly oath. Although his precious head was brought into the banquet hall upon a platter, the tongue that condemned their sin could never truly be silenced. This account also explains how St. John became Christ’s forerunner among the dead, announcing the Messiah’s imminent victory to those awaiting redemption. By both his life and death, he teaches every Christian to battle sin, pursue purity of heart, bear worthy fruits of repentance, and prepare a path for Christ within the soul. Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John, pray for us! 00:00 The Beheading of St. John the Forerunner 00:26 Greatest among those born of woman 00:38 St. John leaps within his mother’s womb 00:47 His ascetic life in the desert 01:15 Preaching repentance at the Jordan 01:28 Baptism and worthy fruits of repentance 01:42 The voice crying in the wilderness 02:07 Baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire 02:19 Baptizing Christ and witnessing the Trinity 02:30 His complete fidelity to God’s law 02:41 St. John confronts Herod Antipas 02:55 “It is not lawful for you” 03:04 Herodias’s hatred of the prophet 03:31 Herod’s birthday banquet 03:43 The dance and Herod’s reckless promise 04:02 The head of St. John demanded 04:18 The righteous prophet is beheaded 04:32 The tongue that could not be silenced 04:49 Burial and discovery of his relics 05:05 Christ’s forerunner among the dead 05:24 Master of the spiritual life 05:30 Battling sin and growing in virtue 05:47 Preparing the Lord’s path in the soul 05:56 Prayer to the Holy Forerunner For more please visit https://www.youtube.com/@steliasbrampton & say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ 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/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #SaintJohnTheBaptist #BeheadingOfSaintJohn #HolyForerunner #OrthodoxChristianity #EasternCatholic #LivesOfTheSaints #ChristianMartyr #Repentance #CatholicSaints #HerodAntipas #ByzantineCatholic #SpiritualWarfare #VoiceInTheWilderness #JesusChrist #SensusFidelium

Topics

• Self-Control