They Don’t Want Tolerance—They Want Your Silence | St. John

About this sermon

Herodias already possessed everything she wanted. St. John was not preventing her from living with Herod. Why, then, did she hate him enough to demand his death? Because he publicly declared: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” This sermon for the Beheading of St. John the Baptist examines why the world hates not only opposition, but the authoritative witness of goodness. It does not merely demand tolerance. It eventually demands acceptance, celebration, participation—and silence from anyone who calls evil by its name. The sermon also explains why St. John’s Nativity outranks his martyrdom in the traditional calendar, recounts his beheading, and follows the history of his relics: his burial at Sebaste, the destruction of his church under Julian the Apostate, Joanna’s rescue of his sacred head, and the truth behind multiple churches claiming portions of it. Herod’s downfall came through human respect. Embarrassed before his guests, he honored a foolish promise by committing an unspeakable injustice. Yet Herodias’s daughter had asked for more than he promised: the head of God’s prophet was worth more than half his earthly kingdom. We repeat Herod’s disastrous exchange whenever we sin—sacrificing something of eternal value for a passing nothing. Even the smallest duty performed in grace and for the love of God possesses supernatural merit. Through St. John’s intercession, may our minds, hearts, and consciences be purified so that we value the things of Heaven above everything on earth. St. John the Baptist, pray for us! 00:00 Beheading of St. John the Baptist 00:34 Why his Nativity is the greater feast 00:51 How saints’ feast days are chosen 01:15 Entrance into a sinless life 01:21 Sanctified within Elizabeth’s womb 01:46 Three birthdays celebrated by the Church 02:03 The Gospel account and historical background 02:27 Herod’s unlawful union with Herodias 02:43 Why Herodias wanted John dead 02:50 The dance at Herod’s banquet 02:58 Herod’s foolish promise 03:15 Human respect leads to murder 03:32 What happened to St. John’s body? 03:39 A relic presented for veneration 03:46 His burial at Sebaste 03:55 Julian the Apostate destroys the church 04:10 Joanna rescues St. John’s head 04:17 Joanna in Luke 8 04:59 Competing claims to the Baptist’s head 05:15 The two reputable relic traditions 05:23 Reconstructed reliquary skulls explained 05:54 Why Herodias truly hated St. John 06:18 She hated being told she was wrong 06:27 Why the world hates the example of goodness 06:58 “Hate speech” and modern censorship 07:38 The duty of bishops to speak 07:55 Compassion without compromise 08:23 The world demands more than tolerance 08:39 Herod’s weakness and fear 08:47 The fear of the Lord begins wisdom 09:02 Herod’s extravagant oath 09:25 Why he could have refused 09:41 Integrity admits a foolish mistake 10:07 Herod needed someone like Daniel 10:30 John’s head was worth more than the kingdom 11:02 Earthly kingdoms versus God’s Kingdom 11:09 The Herod within each of us 11:26 Every sin trades the greater for the lesser 11:43 The supernatural value of our duties 12:07 Asking St. John for spiritual clarity 12:29 Valuing Heaven above earth Please 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/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴