Podcasts about saint john the baptist

Today’s Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) William discusses all about the forerunner of he Christ, Saint John the Baptist from the womb to the tomb

Original Post Date: August 29, 2024 === Gospel Mark 6:17-29 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. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias' own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you." He even swore many things to her, "I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request, "I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. Reflection We've been spending a lot of time this week focusing on the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. But now we have a king, King Herod, and we see something in him that is very like that. He's caught in a situation where he's afraid that he's going to be misunderstood by the public, and he cannot take a stand on what he believes, but does only what serves his ego. That's why we have to be careful with. The ego. Closing Prayer Father, nothing gives us more a sense of value and worth than being authentic. Saying what we believe. Acting on what we believe. Give us that kind of integrity. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friends of the Rosary,Today, August 29, 2026, is the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist. The precursor of Christ shows us a life completely given to God: humble, brave, and unwilling to compromise with sin.In the Gospel (Mark 6:17–29), John the Baptist suffers death because he speaks the truth —the truth of marriage in this case —with courage.Meanwhile, Saint Paul (1 Corinthians 1:26–31) reminds us that God chooses the weak, humble, and lowly so that no one may boast except in the Lord.In our Saturday prayer, we ask the Lord Jesus to give us the courage of Saint John the Baptist, helping us to speak truth with love, stay humble before Him, and remain faithful even when it is difficult.The practical lesson is to be faithful to the truth, even when it costs something.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠August 29, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Send us Fan MailTruth has a way of cornering us, especially when staying quiet feels safer. We reflect on the Passion of St. John the Baptist as more than a tragic Bible story, it's a mirror held up to our own compromises and our own fear of consequences. John is the Forerunner of Christ, a prophet formed by prayer, humility, and a fierce love for God's law, and his courage still challenges the Church today.We trace the Gospel account through Mark 6 and Matthew 14: John's rebuke of Herod Antipas over an unlawful union, the simmering hostility of Herodias, and the moment a banquet, a dance, and a rash oath turn into martyrdom. Along the way, we talk about why John is honored as a martyr for truth and the sanctity of marriage, and how his imprisonment reveals the collision between conversion and worldly power.The meditation doesn't end at the prison door. John's final witness points straight to Jesus with the words that define discipleship: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” If you want a deeper Catholic devotion to St. John the Baptist, practical fuel for prayer, and a clearer sense of what courageous fidelity looks like in daily life, this reflection is for you.Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What part of John's witness hits closest to home for you?Open by Steve Bailey Support the showJourneys of Faith brings you Super Saints PodcastsVisit our blog for full text of our podcasts https://journeysoffaith.com/blogs/eucharist-mary-saintsDownload Journeys of Faith App for Iphone or Android FREE https://journeysoffaith.com/pages/download-our-appPlease consider subscribing to this podcast or making a donation to Journeys of Faith Help us Grow!Journeys of Faith is blessed to provide Catholic media, including podcasts and inspirational content, free of charge across multiple media platforms for viewers and listeners around the world. While access to this content remains free, there are significant and continually increasing costs associated with producing, hosting, and distributing these programs. Your support helps us continue sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith with souls everywhere. We want to reach more souls and you can help us do that by becoming a Mission Angel. Make a Donation Any AmountRefer a FriendYou can help us by referring a friend! When they upgrade you get $20 and so does Journeys of Faith...

When the truth becomes costly, will I still remain faithful?

The Feast of the Passion (or Beheading) of Saint John the Baptist is commemorated annually on August 29. It marks the martyrdom and death of John the Baptist, unlike his other major feast on June 24, which celebrates his birth. The word "passion" comes from the Latin word passio, which means "suffering" or "enduring." Christians believe John the Baptist's death mirrors Christ's ultimate sacrifice. The Church uses "passion" to elevate John's death above common martyrdom. John the Baptist and Jesus are the only figures whose deaths are considered liturgical "passions." Dan Snow's History Hit podcast at podcasthttps://amzn.to/4feSBb7 The Immerser: John the Baptist by Joan Taylor at https://amzn.to/3LEQrE4 John the Baptist books available at https://amzn.to/3LCfQy1 Gospel of Luke available at https://amzn.to/3M6sTId Gospel of Matthew available at https://amzn.to/3LEeP8F ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVine Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (twitter): https://twitter.com/MarkVinet_HNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Dan Snow's History Hit podcast 23jun2024 (Episode 1463: John the Baptist with Joan Taylor, professor of Christian Origins and Second Temple Judaism at King's College London). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Gospels relate the story of The Passion (or Beheading) of Saint John the Baptist; Gospel of Luke (3:3-6/19-20, 9:7-9) and Gospel of Mark (6:1-29). The Feast Day of the Passion of John the Baptist is commemorated annually on August 29. HJSe35. Gospel of Luke available at https://amzn.to/3M6sTId Gospel of Mark available at https://amzn.to/3X3m9Ba John the Baptist books available at https://amzn.to/3LCfQy1 Historical Jesus books available at https://amzn.to/43rnYbq ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (twitter): https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Breathe Bible podcast (LifeAudio Podcast Network, Salem Web Network); Chapter-A-Day Audio Bible podcast with John Stange (LifeAudio Podcast Network, Salem Web Network); Librivox—Weymouth New Testament (WNT) – Gospel of Mark, Chapter 6, read by M. Penfold. Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Read OnlineThe Baptist's Final SermonHerod 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 6:17–19Today's memorial recalls one of the most appalling acts of murder the world has ever known, surpassed only by the crucifixion of the Son of God. Saint John the Baptist stands as a towering figure in Salvation History. Though God raised up many prophets from the time of Israel's founding, none was greater than John, as our Lord Himself declared, “Among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11).John was miraculously conceived by elderly parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, after long years of barrenness. The Archangel Gabriel foretold his birth, identifying him as the one who would go before the Lord “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). According to ancient Christian tradition, John was sanctified in his mother's womb at the moment of the Visitation. When the Blessed Virgin Mary, newly pregnant with the Son of God, greeted her kinswoman Elizabeth, “the infant leaped in her womb,” and Elizabeth was “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:41).From the desert, John preached repentance, preparing hearts for the coming of the Messiah. But his boldness went beyond gentle invitations to conversion. He confronted the most powerful of his time, publicly rebuking Herod Antipas for his unlawful union with Herodias, his brother's wife. This courageous act of prophetic truth-telling cost John his freedom and, ultimately, his life.Herodias' vengeful hatred reveals the darkened heart of one who obstinately persists in grave sin when confronted by truth. She could not bear John's righteous rebuke. Herod, by contrast, was conflicted. He feared John, recognizing him as a holy and righteous man, and was even drawn to his preaching. But Herod lacked the moral courage to follow the truth. Enslaved by lust, pride, and concern for human opinion, he chose instead to silence the prophet through a cowardly act of murder at a banquet steeped in vanity and sensuality.Why would God permit the greatest of the prophets to suffer such a horrific death at the hands of evil? Because John's ultimate witness was not in his words or baptism alone, but in his martyrdom. His death became his greatest sermon, proclaiming through blood that the Messiah he heralded would also be slain by the wicked. Though John's disciples grieved his death—and Jesus Himself withdrew in sorrow when He heard the news—today the Church rejoices in the heroic witness of this great saint.The Church honors John as a prophet and a martyr. He is the only saint whose birth and martyrdom are both celebrated liturgically. His death prefigures the Passion of Christ. He was arrested, imprisoned, and executed not for any crime, but for fidelity to God's law. John's severed head was then displayed on a platter and stands as a chilling symbol of the world's rejection of God's truth.Are you willing to risk your comfort, your reputation, or even your life to uphold the truth? Saint John's witness continues to speak powerfully in every age. The full Gospel must always be proclaimed with clarity and courage. Martyrdom is not only a mark of past saints, it is the ongoing call of every faithful disciple. Whether through blood or through a daily dying to self, the world needs prophetic witnesses today.Reflect today on your own willingness to imitate Saint John's bold fidelity. How far are you willing to go to proclaim the Gospel to those who need it most? No sacrifice is too great, no cost too high when it comes to responding to Christ's call. Give everything for the Truth, and your witness will bear eternal fruit.My sorrowful Lord, Your Heart was grieved at the death of Saint John the Baptist, yet it also rejoiced in his unwavering fidelity to the truth he proclaimed with boldness and love. Fill me, too, with the spirit and power of Elijah, that I may carry on the proclamation of salvation in the way You have called me, even to the shedding of my blood, if You so will. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, by Hendrick Ter BrugghenSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist The Story of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist The drunken oath of a king with a shallow sense of honor, a seductive dance and the hateful heart of a queen combined to bring about the martyrdom of John the Baptist. The greatest of prophets suffered the fate of so many Old Testament prophets before him: rejection and martyrdom. The “voice crying in the desert” did not hesitate to accuse the guilty, did not hesitate to speak the truth. But why? What possesses a man that he would give up his very life? This great religious reformer was sent by God to prepare the people for the Messiah. His vocation was one of selfless giving. The only power that he claimed was the Spirit of Yahweh. “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11). Scripture tells us that many people followed Saint John the Baptist looking to him for hope, perhaps in anticipation of some great messianic power. John never allowed himself the false honor of receiving these people for his own glory. He knew his calling was one of preparation. When the time came, he led his disciples to Jesus: “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God.' The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus” (John 1:35-37). It is John the Baptist who has pointed the way to Christ. John's life and death were a giving over of self for God and other people. His simple style of life was one of complete detachment from earthly possessions. His heart was centered on God and the call that he heard from the Spirit of God speaking to his heart. Confident of God's grace, he had the courage to speak words of condemnation, repentance, and salvation. Reflection Each of us has a calling to which we must listen. No one will ever repeat the mission of Saint John the Baptist, and yet all of us are called to that very mission. It is the role of the Christian to witness to Jesus. Whatever our position in this world, we are called to be disciples of Christ. By our words and deeds, others should realize that we live in the joy of knowing that Jesus is Lord. We do not have to depend upon our own limited resources, but can draw strength from the vastness of Christ's saving grace.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

For 29 August 2026, The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, based on Mark 6:17-29, sent in from Muskego, Wisconsin, USA.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (God chose what is weak in the world) Jeremiah 1:4, 17-19 (Say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them)

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/6?17

Delivered by Enge Kristina from the Parish of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. Jeremiah 1: 17-19; Rs psalm 71: 1-2.3-4a.5-6ab.15ab-17; Mark 6: 17-29.SPEAKING THE TRUTH AND DEFENDING PURITY The theme for our meditation today is: Speaking theTruth and Defending Purity. As we celebrate today the anniversary of John theBaptist's death, our hearts and minds are directed to this man, such a strongand courageous person, who was the voice of truth that went to reach thedeepest of human heart. He was so convinced to challenge the highest authorityof his time because of his immoral life, which was far from truth and purity. The life of John the Baptist is signified by thisstatement: "Speaking the truth and defending purity", which serveswell in the marriage life of a husband and his wife. This is also the spirit of life that gives the values ofsincerity and respect for human dignity to sustain people's life. Long beforeJohn the Baptist, there was the great prophet Jeremiah who was very depressedbecause his enemies severely threatened him to death, and yet he never turnedaway from God. He stood firmly with the truth of God, and his life was purelydedicated to God alone. What John the Baptist and Jeremiah did was theintegral part of the good news of Jesus Christ. The person of Jesus was thesource of truth and purity. Jesus himself reveals that people with pure mindsand hearts are always free from all the negative things such as falsity, lies,lustful desire, judgemental habit and oppression of the weak. And so by doingthe right things, the importance of sacredness of truth and purity would bewell preserved. Jesus Christ in many occasions had strongly criticizedthe Pharisees and the scribes because their hypocrisy, namely what they spokedid not correlate with what they acted in reality. This was clearly shown intheir impure intentions or false motivations. When lies, deceit, arrogance andlust dominate our lives as believers and members of the society, it is certainthat the truth will be lost and the purity of human conscience will beineffective. The enemies of truth, sincerity and purity usually act violentlyto destroy the promoters or bearers of truth. The prophet Jeremiah, the last prophet John theBaptist and the Lord Jesus Christ had experienced all these realities. However,the struggles and efforts to defend the truth and purity will never end todayand tomorrow. Why did the enemies not succeed in eliminating truth and purityin people's life, even though they had been trying hard to do it since the daysof Jeremiah? Because our human minds and hearts were created for living intruth and purity that comes from God. We believe and accept as fact of ourfaith, that God alone chooses to live in us and in our hearts. If we lose thisessence of faith, we will begin to deny the truth and purity in our lives. Weneed to hold firm this truth, that deep within us, we want to live a true andpure life on earth. Hopefully we still want to go back to this when we realizethat we have done something wrong in this line. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... In Your grace, O Father, we find all Yourmercy to bring us back to You after we failed and disobeyed Your will.Strengthen us to be more faithful and righteous in our life of faith. Glory tothe Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father...

Delivered by Vici from the Parish of Saint John the Baptist in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Ezekiel 36: 23-28; Rs psalm 51: 12-15.18-19; Matthew 22: 1-14.A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT Our meditation today has the theme: A New Heart And ANew Spirit. Human heart has its spiritual dimension, from which the activitiessuch as feeling, willing and choosing come. Meanwhile, human spirit is thespiritual element of human person that connects himself with God. When he ispraying or meditating on the Word of God, his spiritual activity becomesdominant, wherein all his attention is in union with the divine. There are occasions when the condition of one's heartand spirit is considered old or out of date. This means that if his heart andspirit are below the standard of the Lord, namely an old type of human personthat is enslaved by sin and evil. The Lord wills that this type must bereplaced with a new person of man, namely the one who is renewed and redeemedin the Spirit of God. In general, the scriptures give us the truth, that theperson of Jesus Christ has made new the face of the earth and particularly thepeople who take part in His being the Son of God and in His mission, are trulymade new. There was a boy who was too naughty at home that hascaused him a big setback in his study at the junior high school near his home.Surely he became frustrated and his parents were mostly anxious about theirson's study situation. They responded to this by bringing the boy to the schooldormitory at the beginning of the new school year. Priests and religiousbrothers took care the boys who were members of this dormitory. On the firstday at the dormitory, this teenager soon experienced a situation of confictwithin himself. The condition of the dormitory, the rules, togetherness withhis fellow students, and the assistance from priests and brothers; all theseseemed to make him unable to follow his own will as he used to be in the past,such as laziness, grumbling, protesting, insulting, stealing, fighting. This conflict did not discourage him. However, thelife in the dormitory for him was a good challenge, especially since heremembered that in the beginning he was given encouragment that he would obtaingood achievement in his study. He just lived out this new life day by day andwanted that the promise would come true. During the holidays after school yearand while at home, his family noticed the fact that this boy had completelychanged. His mother asked him: "What made you change, son?" Heresponded the mother by pointing out to the cross of Jesus hanging on the wall. This is an example of a new heart and a new spirit.The prophet Ezekiel explained that God would come and walk around to forgiveHis people who were already so sinful. They would be released from their oldlife, and be given a new life, with their hearts and spirits made new. Whenevery time we accept and fulfill God's will to do His work, we are made newagain. Let's always accept His invitation to work in His Kingdom!Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus, may we always fulfill Yourword and invitation to the Father's will. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord bewith you ... In name of the Father ...

Delivered by Vici from the Parish of Saint John the Baptist in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Ezekiel 9: 1-7; 10: 18-22; Rs psalm 113: 1-2.3-4.5-6; Matthew 18: 15-20.GATHERING IN THE NAME OF THE LORD Our meditation today has the theme: Gathering in theName of the Lord. There was a group of teenagers about to enter a shop thatsells electronics and cell phones. They were so obsessed to have the newestproduct of cell phone that was being promoted everywhere. However, these poorteenagers had no money to buy what they were so eager to have, so they plannedto steal the cell phones in that shop. They planned in such way that nobodyaround would notice their action. But before doing that, the group leader invited all togather. He wished them to pray before stealing the cell phones they wanted. Andwhen they were about to pray, one of theirs friends raised an objection, as he wassaying in this way: "This is absurd. How can we pray then we go to steal?God definitely will not allow us." In the end they all did not steal andeach of them dispersed. When people gather to pray, they have good motivationto achieve a good objective too. What the today's Gospel says is true, that Godis present when people, few or many, gather in His power and His name. If thereis a gathering of people with motivation to create chaos, commotion andviolence, that will be so displeasing God. Every gathering in the name of the Lord has someconstituted elements that are familiar to us. The first element is when we usethe name of the Lord to be the easiest way for us to feel close with Him. Ashort prayer, a praise of His holy name, or a hymn of praise are among theexamples of how we come together with our fellow brothers and sisters to praisethe Lord. God is present in our midst through various occasions like these andHe is never present in our gathering to evil or sinful act. Another important element of gathering in the name ofthe Lord which is ecclesial in nature, is what we usually do in formal way  to worship God under the guidance of theChurch. There are liturgical celebrations, ministries of the sacraments anddevotional prayers. God indeed touches us through the observance of theseworships and the reception of sacraments. He truly blesses those who partake inthem and receive the outpouring of graces. The ordained ministers in the personof deacon, priest and bishop who become the sign of the authority of the Churchthat serves, are those who represent Jesus Christ himself. Their task is tobridge communication between God and people in their acts of worship. And the element of love is a concrete expression ofhow God acts through the works of charity. A meeting to plan a program ofcharity for the poor families, this is a gathering in the name of God. Agathering to discuss on the renewal of interpersonal relationship and fraternalcorrection, this is also an act made in the name of the Lord. In essence, Godis present in the gathering of believers and He animates them. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus Christ, stay with us alwaysevery day, especially in our gatherings of worship and reception of sacraments,where You alone involves to share us the divine graces. Our Father who art inheaven ... In the name of the Father ...

In this meditation, we reflect on the great saints celebrated in the August liturgy—including the Curé of Ars, Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Saint Monica, Saint Augustine, and Saint John the Baptist. We also celebrate the Assumption of Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the greatest of all saints. Inspired by their lives, examples, and words, let us strive to grow in holiness and answer the call to become saints ourselves.A meditation by Father Timothy Uhen.

Read OnlineCharity Unto DeathNow Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. Matthew 14:3–5Saint John the Baptist was unwaveringly bold in his preaching, humble in his disposition toward God, and faithful to the truth he proclaimed. These holy virtues, however, did not spare him from the clutches of Herod—a man morally weak, politically fearful, and unrepentant. In the end, Herod not only imprisoned John but, through the manipulation of his unlawful wife and her daughter, had him killed.Who, then, was victorious? From a worldly perspective, it seemed Herod was. John was not only persecuted but martyred. Yet the true victory belonged to John. His triumph was not in escaping suffering but in remaining faithful—faithful to the truth, to charity toward Herod, and to the salvation of Herod's soul. This sacrificial charity moved John to speak boldly, even at the cost of his life.At John's death, Jesus grieved deeply. The loss was real and sorrowful, but not despairing. John's followers also mourned out of love. He had changed many lives and prepared the way for Jesus' ministry. Of him, Jesus said, “No one born of woman is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11).Today, separated by 2,000 years, it can be difficult to feel the sorrow of John's loved ones. Yet the sting of that loss was profound because John loved profoundly. Those who are arrogant and self-centered often fade quickly from memory. But when a life radiates holiness, inspires through simplicity, and transforms hearts through truth, that loss is deeply and rightly mourned.The greatest human sorrow ever known was the mutual suffering of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, whose love was perfect. Their hearts were pierced not only by personal grief, but by the weight of humanity's sin.John's death was not tragic; it was meaningful. He died for the truth, for charity, for the Messiah. He died as a man deeply loved, whose life touched many. He died not in bitterness or confusion, but in courage, compassion, and purpose. His ministry was powerful, but the witness of his grace-filled martyrdom was even more so.Each of us is called to imitate Saint John the Baptist in our own way—with boldness, humility, and fidelity. We are called to love with a charity that becomes sacrificial, even costly. John's life is a model of that sanctity. Can we see ourselves in him?When you examine your life, do you live boldly and confidently in the truth? Or do you give in to fear, which often leads to confusion and apathy? Is your charity strong enough to endure suffering, even unjust persecution, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls—including your own? Reflect today on the strength of your charity. We are all called to a love so deep that it requires supernatural courage and understanding. Consider your life through the powerful lens of Saint John the Baptist's witness. Sacrifice is painful. It was for John, for his followers, and even for Jesus. Are you willing to endure such suffering in fidelity to God's will? Seek the Baptist's intercession today and follow his example, that your charity may touch many lives and leave a lasting impression. Most loving Lord Jesus, Your human heart grieved the suffering and death of John the Baptist, whose mission was to prepare the way for Your public ministry. Yet Your sorrow did not flow from despair, but from love and gratitude for John's life and his selfless witness, born of true charity. Grant me, I pray, that same courage and love that flowed from John's heart, so that my life, like his, may leave a lasting impression on others, give You glory, and sanctify my own soul. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Martyrdom of St John the Baptist, by Lawrence OP, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Delivered by Samuel Ivan Gunarta from the Parish of Mary of All the Nations in the Diocese of Bogor, Indonesia. Hosea 11: 1b.3-4.8c-9; Rs psalm 80: 2ac.3b.15-16; Matthew 10: 7-15.FREELY RECEIVE FREELY GIVE The theme for our meditation today is: Freely ReceiveFreely Give. There was a grade 5 elementary school boy who was asking hismother, as he said: "Mommy, which one goes first, to give or toreceive?" His mother immediately replied, "What is obvious is togive." Then the boy said, "So give me money because I want buy mytoys." We all should agree that to give is the first, because this is whatGod always does towards us. Our lives as human beings and the gift of faith inus are indeed God's gifts to us. In today's Gospel, we see the commission of Jesus tothe apostles, which is to give, to bring the name of Jesus Christ to everyone,and to present His kingdom that brings justice and comfort to those who receiveit. Then Jesus concluded His message by saying this to them: "Without costyou have received; without cost you are to give" or freely receive freelygive. Jesus also addresses this to us, that when we give or share the Lord'sgift, it must be free of charge. For example, the apostles had received all thedivine wisdom and gift for free, so they should preach them for free too. Theyshould not take any advantage of whatever God's work that they did. It was equally evident to the Israelites who hadreceived all the goodness of God especially when God defended, nurtured andmade them a chosen people of God. In fact, according to the prophet Amos, whenthis nation suffered being exiled in the foreign land other than their own landof the Palestine, the Lord God had always His pity on them. God indeed punishedthem for the sins they had committed but later God comforted them and gave themhope for their liberation. They also must follow the example of God to be kindand generous toward one another and other people foreign to them as well. The act of freely receive freely give is the way howwe imitate the Lord Jesus Christ. We also imitate Our Lady, the Blessed VirginMary, Saint Joseph, the apostles, Saint Paul, Saint John the Baptist and allthe other Saints. Our own parents are also the examples for us of thislifestyle, because they give everything to each of us and they never ask forreward or payment. What is really unpleasant and discouraging is that there arechildren who should have pleased their parents with their good deeds and exemplarylives, but instead cause troubles by hurting and showing unkind manner to themto their death. So our good news today would be this: we like to bealways in the way of Jesus Christ, because we have freely received so much fromanywhere and anyone, and so we are happy to give them freely as well. Let usnot be so obsessed to be given importance and served of all cost, but let us begenerous to give what we should give to God and to our neighbors.Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord our God, strengthen us with YourSpirit, that is, the Spirit of selfless love, so that our lives will beenriched with love that covers all people. Hail Mary, full of grace ... In thename of the Father ...

Delivered by Vici from the Parish of Saint John the Baptist in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Ephesians 2: 19-22; Rs psalm 117: 1.2; John 20: 24-29.O MY LORD AND MY GOD Our meditation today has the theme: O My Lord and MyGod. This expression came from St. Thomas the Apostle, whose feast we celebratetoday in the Church. He was one of the 12 apostles who had also another nameDidymus, and was very well known as a person who had little faith and hard tobelieve in the risen Christ. He along with other apostles and many people in hisday had a perception of Jesus the Messiah who must become a king like the KingDavid who was powerful and believed to be able to liberate the people of Israelfrom all forms of occupation of foreign nations. But this perception as totallywrong. Jesus was found to be put to death in a shameful way by being crucifiedand died. This as clearly very disappointing to many people who alreadybelieved in the power of a Messiah. One of those people who were so disappointed was theapostle Thomas. Consequently, he chose to stay away, hid himself, afraid andmaybe thinking of choosing another way of life. Anyway he was very angry anddisappointed. The testimony of the women who met the risen Jesus, along withthe stories of other apostles who saw first hand Jesus who rose from the deaddid not give any light for Thomas to believe. He instead needed other evidencethat was stronger and not just a story telling. For him story or narration toldis equally bad as lie. If there is a big disappointment, we actually need anew spirit that is more superior in order to overcome it. This spirit is notenough from any human power and ability, but must be given from above, namelyGod himself who has divine intervention. Evidently, Jesus Himself came to givethe truth about Himself who had already risen. This should had been a suppertestimony and not jus stories. With the real presence of the risen Christ, theapostle Thomas was then able to change radically, signified by his powerfulconfession of faith, "O my Lord and my God". Everyone of us has experienced disappointment, despairand broken heart. They vary from small to big, or mild to severe. Whatever theconditions, such sufferings indeed require recovery. For those who experiencedisappointment, despair or severe broken heart, they are surely in need ofspiritual healing that is only through the Lord's intervention. When therecovery is acquired,  a new life isregained, enthusiasm grows again, and the confession of faith in God is strengthened. And so there is a wise advice for all of us. If weexperience suffering such as disappointment, despair or broken heart, let usrely on the strength and the mercy of God. We need to avoid being closed, sador even an act of blaming God because of this trouble. Every disappointment,despair or broken heart is in due will pass away. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... In your providence and mercy, O Lord,strengthen us to be always in Your love, especially when disappointment,despair and hear-broken come along our ways. May the Blessed Mother, theguardian angels and especially the apostle Thomas accompany us in thesedifficult moments. Hail Mary, full of grace ... In the name of the Father ...

Today’s Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) William discusses all things John the Baptist and his role in Salvation History

Fr. Patrick preached this homily on June 24, 2026. The readings are from Isaiah 49:1-6, Psalm 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15, Acts 13:22-26, Luke 1:57-66, 80 (The Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist). Connect with us! Website: https://slakingthirsts.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SlakingThirsts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slakingthirsts/

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Original Post Date: June 24, 2025 === Gospel Luke 1:57-66, 80 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel. Reflection We see in this story a very, very important teaching. The Old Testament and the New Testament are not the same. The Old Testament, based on the law and performance. The New Testament based on God's presence within us. It's a radical shift. And it's so fascinating that in the plan of God, the greatest of the Old Testament prophets is the one that looks at Jesus and says, there that's the one. That's what we've been talking about. That's the direction you need to now take. Listen to him. I spoke God's words, but he is God incarnate. Closing Prayer Father, it's always been difficult for us to make the shift between the Old and the New Testament. The Old Testament is so much more attuned to our minds and our wills. And yet, the New Testament demands that we open our heart and let God dwell there. So help us in this transition. It's what we all go through in our own spiritual journey. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Father Kevin Drew as he preaches on this Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. Today's readings First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6 Psalm: Psalm 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15 Second Reading: Acts 13:22-26 Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80 Catholic Radio Network

Send us Fan MailWe trace Saint John the Baptist from prophecy and miraculous birth to the Jordan River, where his call to repentance clears a path for Christ. We reflect on metanoia, the meaning of John's baptism, and the humility that lets Jesus take the center. • Isaiah's “voice in the wilderness” fulfilled in John's mission • Zechariah and Elizabeth, grace arriving after long waiting • desert formation through prayer, penance, and silence • repentance as metanoia, a total turning of the heart • John's baptism as a sign that prepares for Christ's sacramental life • “Behold the Lamb of God” and recognizing Jesus, especially in the Eucharist • “He must increase, but I must decrease” as the posture of a disciple Visit Anne. Journeys of Faith and start your own journey of faith today. Shop for Saint John the Baptist itemsOpen by Steve Bailey Support the showJourneys of Faith brings you Super Saints PodcastsChat with US 24/7 Ask us anything https://chatting.page/mjxs9aerrtgm3lmpndlcepmbyosntrjnDownload Journeys of Faith App for Iphone or Android FREE https://journeysoffaith.com/pages/download-our-appPlease consider subscribing to this podcast or making a donation to Journeys of Faith Help us Grow!Journeys of Faith is blessed to provide Catholic media, including podcasts and inspirational content, free of charge across multiple media platforms for viewers and listeners around the world. While access to this content remains free, there are significant and continually increasing costs associated with producing, hosting, and distributing these programs. Your support helps us continue sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith with souls everywhere. We want to reach more souls and you can help us do that by becoming a Mission Angel. Make a Donation Any AmountRefer a FriendYou can help us ...

June 24 is St. John the Baptist Day, known in Quebec as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day or the Fête nationale du Québec, is a public holiday celebrated every year on June 24. It marks the height of the summer solstice and serves as Quebec's official national holiday, honoring French-Canadian culture and identity. Originally brought to Canada by French settlers to celebrate the feast day of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, the holiday has deep roots in New France. In 1925, June 24 was officially declared a public holiday in Quebec. Over time, the day transitioned from a strictly religious event to a patriotic celebration of the Québécois language, heritage, and culture. The holiday is marked by massive, province-wide celebrations, including lively parades, massive outdoor concerts, and traditional bonfires on the eve of the holiday. Dan Snow's History Hit podcast at https://amzn.to/4feSBb7 The Immerser: John the Baptist Within Second Temple Judaism by Joan Taylor at https://amzn.to/3LEQrE4 John the Baptist books available at https://amzn.to/3LCfQy1 History of Quebec (Canada) books available at https://amzn.to/4evFRNq Gospel of Luke available at https://amzn.to/3M6sTId Gospel of Matthew available at https://amzn.to/3LEeP8F ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORICAL JESUS podcast at https://parthenonpodcast.com/historical-jesus Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (twitter): https://twitter.com/MarkVinet_HNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Dan Snow's History Hit podcast 23jun2024 (Episode 1463: John the Baptist with Joan Taylor, professor of Christian Origins and Second Temple Judaism at King's College London). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 24 is Saint John the Baptist Day, known in Quebec as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day or the Fête nationale du Québec, is a public holiday celebrated every year on June 24. It marks the height of the summer solstice and serves as Quebec's official national holiday, honoring French-Canadian culture and identity. Originally brought to Canada by French settlers to celebrate the feast day of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, the holiday has deep roots in New France. In 1925, June 24 was officially declared a public holiday in Quebec. Over time, the day transitioned from a strictly religious event to a patriotic celebration of the Québécois language, heritage, and culture. The holiday is marked by massive, province-wide celebrations, including lively parades, massive outdoor concerts, and traditional bonfires on the eve of the holiday. Dan Snow's History Hit podcast at https://amzn.to/4feSBb7 The Immerser: John the Baptist Within Second Temple Judaism by Joan Taylor at https://amzn.to/3LEQrE4 John the Baptist books available at https://amzn.to/3LCfQy1 History of Quebec (Canada) books available at https://amzn.to/4evFRNq Gospel of Luke available at https://amzn.to/3M6sTId Gospel of Matthew available at https://amzn.to/3LEeP8F ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORICAL JESUS podcast at https://parthenonpodcast.com/historical-jesus Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (twitter): https://twitter.com/MarkVinet_HNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Dan Snow's History Hit podcast 23jun2024 (Episode 1463: John the Baptist with Joan Taylor, professor of Christian Origins and Second Temple Judaism at King's College London). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ROSARY - GLORIOUS MYSTERIES today.  DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET for Wednesday.

Am I willing to trust God's timing, even when I do not understand it? Does my life point people toward me, or toward Jesus?

Happy feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Dr. Benjamin Lewis from ICEL to discuss an ancient hymn about John that is referenced in the Sound of Music. Other guests include Gary Zimak on John the Baptist as a model of humility, and Fr. Sean Davidson to discuss his book, “Prophet of Fire: the Witness of St. John the Baptist.” Plus news, weather, sports, and more.. ***** LITANY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us. Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.John the Baptist, Precursor of Christ, pray for us.John the Baptist, Glorious forerunner of the Sun of Justice, pray for us.John the Baptist, Minister of baptism to Jesus, pray for us.John the Baptist, Burning and shining lamp of the world, pray for us.John the Baptist, Filled with the Holy Spirit before thy birth, pray for us.John the Baptist, Heavenly contemplative, whose element was prayer, pray for us.John the Baptist, Intrepid preacher of the truth, pray for us.John the Baptist, Voice crying in the wilderness, pray for us.John the Baptist, Miracle of mortification and penance, pray for us.John the Baptist, Example of profound humility, pray for us.John the Baptist, Who called all to repentance, pray for us.John the Baptist, Who came in the spirit and power of Elijah, pray for us.John the Baptist, Glorious martyr of zeal for God’s holy law, pray for us.John the Baptist, Who turns the hearts of parents to their children, pray for us.John the Baptist, Who turns the hearts of children to their parents, pray for us.John the Baptist, Gloriously fulfilling thy mission, pray for us. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Hear us, O Lord.Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. V. Pray for us, O glorious John the Baptist,R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let Us Pray: O Lord, you have honored this world by the birth of Saint John the Baptist:grant that Your faithful people may be called to repentance and may recognize and work toward the coming of the kingdom, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. ***** Full list of guestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the BaptistLuke 1:57-66, 80All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,“What, then, will this child be?”For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.The child grew and became strong in spirit,and he was in the desert until the dayof his manifestation to Israel.

Read OnlineWhen they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Luke 1:59–63The Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is one of only three birthdays the Church celebrates with a liturgical feast—the others being those of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. This extraordinary honor reveals the singular role Saint John played in salvation history as the Forerunner who prepared the way for the Lord. Three profound mysteries surrounding John's birth invite our reflection.First, Elizabeth's pregnancy in her old age, after years of barrenness and beyond natural childbearing years, was a deliberate sign of divine intervention and a testimony to God's power and mercy. Recall that a similar miracle occurred when Sarah conceived Isaac in her old age. Spiritually, Elizabeth represents Israel—and all humanity—trapped in the barrenness of sin. By bringing forth life from her barren womb, God manifests His ability to bring forth new life where human effort fails.Second, the bestowal of John's name reveals the divine initiative governing his life and mission. In the biblical tradition, names are rich with meaning, often disclosing a person's identity and destiny. The name “John,” meaning “The Lord is gracious,” was not chosen by his parents, but was announced by the Archangel Gabriel before his conception (cf. Luke 1:13). When Elizabeth and Zechariah insist upon the name given by God, they demonstrate their obedience to divine revelation over human custom. Their relatives' confusion—“There is no one among your relatives who has this name”—highlights how this birth breaks from human expectations. John is not to carry on his father's name or legacy; he is set apart entirely for the mission of preparing the way for the Messiah. In this, we see a lesson for every Christian: Our true identity and mission are not rooted in earthly lineage or human tradition but are given to us by the free and gracious call of God.Finally, the restoration of Zechariah's speech after months of divinely imposed silence serves as a powerful sign of faith's triumph over doubt. Zechariah had been struck mute because of his initial disbelief at the angel's announcement (cf. Luke 1:20). During Elizabeth's pregnancy, he lived in silence—a silence that must have been filled with contemplation, repentance, and deeper trust. It was only when he confirmed God's command by writing, “John is his name,” that his tongue was loosed. His first act upon regaining his speech was to bless God, revealing that his heart had been purified and transformed. The loosening of Zechariah's tongue prefigures the prophetic voice of his son John, who would cry out in the wilderness, calling Israel to repentance. Spiritually, it also reminds us that true praise of God flows from hearts made humble and obedient to His will.As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, reflect today not only on John's unique role in salvation history but also on how God desires to work in our own lives. If you experience moments of barrenness or dryness in your faith, take hope from John's miraculous birth: God can bring forth new life even from what seems lifeless. As John's name revealed the graciousness of God, so too are you called to trust in His mercy at work within you. And as Zechariah learned obedience and deeper faith through his silent suffering, pray that you may embrace any hidden trials you endure, allowing them to purify your heart and prepare you to proclaim God's goodness with renewed joy.Lord of Wisdom and Love, Your plan for our salvation is perfect and far beyond our understanding. As Your Church celebrates the birth of Saint John the Baptist, grant me a renewed appreciation for his life and mission. May he prepare my heart for You, as he did for Your coming, so that I, like his father Zechariah, may sing Your praises with a loosed tongue. Saint John the Baptist, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: His name is John, by Lawrence OP, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Full Text of Readings Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Lectionary: 586, 587 The Saint of the day is Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Story of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Jesus called John the greatest of all those who had preceded him: “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John….” But John would have agreed completely with what Jesus added: “[Y]et the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28). John spent his time in the desert, an ascetic. He began to announce the coming of the Kingdom, and to call everyone to a fundamental reformation of life. His purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. His baptism, he said, was for repentance. But one would come who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John was not worthy even to untie his sandals. His attitude toward Jesus was: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). John was humbled to find among the crowd of sinners who came to be baptized the one whom he already knew to be the Messiah. “I need to be baptized by you” (Matthew 3:14b). But Jesus insisted, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15b). Jesus, true and humble human as well as eternal God, was eager to do what was required of any good Jew. Jesus thus publicly entered the community of those awaiting the Messiah. But making himself part of that community, he made it truly messianic. The greatness of John, his pivotal place in the history of salvation, is seen in the great emphasis Luke gives to the announcement of his birth and the event itself—both made prominently parallel to the same occurrences in the life of Jesus. John attracted countless people to the banks of the Jordan, and it occurred to some people that he might be the Messiah. But he constantly deferred to Jesus, even to sending away some of his followers to become the first disciples of Jesus. Perhaps John's idea of the coming of the Kingdom of God was not being perfectly fulfilled in the public ministry of Jesus. For whatever reason, when he was in prison he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah. Jesus' answer showed that the Messiah was to be a figure like that of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah. John himself would share in the pattern of messianic suffering, losing his life to the revenge of Herodias. Reflection John challenges us Christians to the fundamental attitude of Christianity—total dependence on the Father, in Christ. Except for the Mother of God, no one had a higher function in the unfolding of salvation. Yet the least in the kingdom, Jesus said, is greater than he, for the pure gift that the Father gives. The attractiveness as well as the austerity of John, his fierce courage in denouncing evil—all stem from his fundamental and total placing of his life within the will of God. The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist shows us the way to purity and graceSaint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

For 24 June 2026, The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, based on Luke 1:57-66, 80, sent in from Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Full Text of Readings The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Lectionary: 164 The Saint of the day is Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Story of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary This is a fairly late feast, going back only to the 13th or 14th century. It was established widely throughout the Church to pray for unity. The present date of celebration was set in 1969, in order to follow the Annunciation of the Lord and precede the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. Like most feasts of Mary, it is closely connected with Jesus and his saving work. The more visible actors in the visitation drama (see Luke 1:39-45) are Mary and Elizabeth. However, Jesus and John the Baptist steal the scene in a hidden way. Jesus makes John leap with joy—the joy of messianic salvation. Elizabeth, in turn, is filled with the Holy Spirit and addresses words of praise to Mary—words that echo down through the ages. It is helpful to recall that we do not have a journalist's account of this meeting. Rather Luke, speaking for the Church, gives a prayerful poet's rendition of the scene. Elizabeth's praise of Mary as “the mother of my Lord” can be viewed as the earliest Church's devotion to Mary. As with all authentic devotion to Mary, Elizabeth's (the Church's) words first praise God for what God has done to Mary. Only secondly does she praise Mary for trusting God's words. Then comes the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Here, Mary herself—like the Church—traces all her greatness to God. Reflection One of the invocations in Mary's litany is “Ark of the Covenant.” Like the Ark of the Covenant of old, Mary brings God's presence into the lives of other people. As David danced before the Ark, John the Baptist leaps for joy. As the Ark helped to unite the 12 tribes of Israel by being placed in David's capital, so Mary has the power to unite all Christians in her son. At times, devotion to Mary may have occasioned some divisiveness, but we can hope that authentic devotion will lead all to Christ and therefore, to one another.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

We enter the New Testament today with John the Baptist. Br. John Barker joins me for this episode and fittingly, he is a Franciscan friar with the Province of Saint John the Baptist. Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: - Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe - Be Not Afraid in Spanish with Fr. Fabian Moncada - Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson - Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen - Man Up! with Joe Stopulus - Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio - The Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo Bonner - The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith - The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr - Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Saint Mary was born in Egypt, and at the age of twelve, ran away to the city of Alexandria, where she lived an extremely dissolute life. She was, she said, driven by an insatiable desire and an irrepressible passion, and that she mainly lived by begging supplemented by spinning flax. After seventeen years of this lifestyle, she traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. She undertook the journey as a sort of "anti-pilgrimage," stating that she hoped to find in the pilgrim crowds at Jerusalem, even more partners in her lust. When she tried to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the celebration, she was barred from doing so by an unseen force. Realizing that this was because of her impurity, she was struck with remorse, and on seeing an icon of the Theotokos outside the church, she prayed for forgiveness, and promised to give up the world and become an aesthetic. Then she attempted again to enter the church, and this time was permitted in. After venerating the Relic of the True Cross, she returned to the icon to give thanks, and heard a voice telling her, "If you cross the Jordan, you will find a glorious rest." She immediately went to the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist on the bank of the River Jordan, where she received Holy Communion. The next morning, she crossed the Jordan, and retired to the desert to live the rest of her life as a hermit. She took with her only three loaves of bread, and once they were gone, lived only on what she could find in the wilderness. Approximately one year before her death, she recounted her life to Saint Zosimas of Palestine, who encountered her in the desert. When he unexpectedly met her in the desert, she was completely naked and almost unrecognizable as human. She asked Zosimas to toss her his mantle to cover herself with, and then she narrated her life story to him, manifesting marvelous clairvoyance. She asked him to meet her at the banks of the Jordan on Holy Thursday of the following year, and bring her Holy Communion. When he fulfilled her wish, she crossed the river to get to him by walking on the surface of the water, and received Holy Communion, telling him to meet her again in the desert the following Lent. The next year, Zosimas traveled to the same spot where he first met her, some 20 days journey from his monastery, and found her lying there dead. According to an inscription written in the sand next to her head, she had died on the very night he had given her communion, and had been somehow miraculously transported to the place he found her and her body preserved incorrupt. He buried her body with the assistance of a passing lion. On returning to the monastery, he related her life story to the brethren, and it was preserved among them as oral tradition until it was written down by Saint Sophronius.

Malta. A fortress carved from rock, surrounded by sea, ruled by warrior monks who pray at dawn and kill by noon.Caravaggio arrives to paint a portrait. He stays because he has no choice. The Grand Master offers sanctuary, admiration, and something neither man is prepared to name. The Captain at Arms offers suspicion, jealousy, and a locked door every night.Act Two is the cage. Beautiful. Suffocating. Holy.Caravaggio paints the Grand Master's portrait and captures more than armor and scars. He captures a man's loneliness. The Knights throw a feast in his honor. He dances on tables. He is knighted with a gold sword. He is watched from every window.Back in Rome, Cardinal Del Monte fights for a papal pardon while the Tomassoni brothers hire bounty hunters. The Pope dies. A new Pope rises. The Church still cannot decide what Caravaggio is worth.On the beach, the Turks attack. Knights are nailed to crosses and set on fire, floated into the harbor at dawn. Caravaggio picks up a sword for the first time. He gives water to a dying boy. The boy is killed in front of him.Flashbacks pull him back to Rome. To Lena. To the night Ranuccio came for him with a blade. To the moment that changed everything.He paints The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist on a chapel wall and signs his name in the blood flowing from the saint's neck. The only painting he ever signed.Then he paints a Cupid so grotesque it seals his fate.Act Two is devotion. Desire. Betrayal. The moment a man realizes that the sanctuary he was promised is just a prison with better art on the walls.The fuse is burning.CastDennis Kleinman · NarratorCraig Parker · CaravaggioDan Lauria · Cardinal Del MonteBruce Davison · Alof de WignacourtShaan Sharma · Stefano della CroceCatherine Lidstone · LenaSarah Elmaleh · MariaBrendan Bradley · Annibale CarracciNoah James · Ranuccio TomassoniJosh Sterling · Ottavio TomassoniZeke Alton · Giovan TomassoniNick Monteleone · ManciniMatt Curtin · ToppaBjorn Johnson · Pope Paul VRay Abruzzo · Pope Clement VIIIWritten byRichard VetereExecutive Produced byJack Levy, Shaan Sharma, and Mark KnellTable Read is a Manifest Media production.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Read OnlineWhen Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee… From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:12, 17When John the Baptist was arrested, his followers were likely overcome with fear and grief. The man they revered as a prophet, who fearlessly proclaimed the coming of the Messiah and called for repentance through baptism, had been imprisoned. John was arrested by Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, infamous for ordering the massacre of infants in Bethlehem. Like his father, Herod Antipas was ambitious and morally corrupt. As tetrarch of Galilee and Perea under Roman authority, Herod's political survival depended on maintaining Roman favor. He often used religion to secure legitimacy among the Jewish people, though his actions routinely violated Jewish law.Though nominally Jewish, the Herodian dynasty was of Idumean descent, tracing its lineage to Esau rather than Jacob. The Idumeans were forcibly converted to Judaism between 135–104 BC. While this history granted the Herods a claim to Jewish identity, their foreign lineage and collaboration with Rome made them unpopular with many Jews. Herod Antipas, like his father, prioritized political cunning and personal ambition over genuine adherence to Jewish law.When John the Baptist emerged on the scene, he proclaimed his message with fearless conviction. His central call was one of repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins, urging the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Yet John did not shy away from addressing the moral and spiritual corruption of his time. He famously denounced the Pharisees and Sadducees as a “brood of vipers,” rebuking their hypocrisy and lack of genuine repentance. John also boldly condemned Herod Antipas for violating Jewish law by divorcing his wife and marrying Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, Philip. This marriage not only violated Mosaic Law but also reflected Herod's ambitions to consolidate power and status. John's fearless denunciation of sin, even among the powerful, ultimately led to his arrest and eventual martyrdom.This historical context surrounding John's arrest is crucial because it helps us understand God's providence—how He permits certain evils to occur in order to bring about a greater good. Jesus Himself later affirmed John's greatness, saying, “Among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). If the Son of God declared John's greatness shortly after John's arrest, why didn't God miraculously free him from persecution? The answer lies in John's mission. He had fulfilled his primary role: preparing the way for the Lord, the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Once John's mission was complete, God permitted him to seal his testimony with his own blood, offering his life as a martyr for the Lord and for the Truth that sets all people free.Reflect today on John's arrest and consider how you might have reacted if you had been one of his disciples. From an earthly perspective, martyrdom is difficult to comprehend or accept, especially in our own lives or in the lives of those we love. Though John's arrest and subsequent martyrdom likely brought fear and grief to his disciples, shaking their sense of security, from an eternal perspective, John's martyrdom was his greatest act of witness. It fulfilled his mission by pointing his disciples—and all of us—toward the true Prophet and Messiah, Jesus Christ. John is forever glorified in Heaven, and in the end, that is all that truly matters. As we honor John's unwavering faith, seek to embrace God's permissive will in your own life. Even in the face of suffering or evil, trust that God, in His providence, can bring about a greater good if we surrender ourselves fully to Him.My provident and loving God, You permit evil to touch the lives of Your faithful followers, knowing that in Your perfect Wisdom, You can bring forth a greater good. Grant me the heart of a martyr, filled with courage and trust, whenever I face injustice in my life. Help me to unite my every trial to Yours, in imitation of Saint John the Baptist and Your own Passion and Death. Jesus, I trust in You.ImageSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Read Online“Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.” John 3:26–30John the Baptist's words are filled with humility and truth. Imagine the scene. John had acquired quite a following. His ministry was flourishing, and many people were coming to him to receive his baptism of repentance. Then, suddenly, Jesus appeared and began to gather His own followers, including some of John's disciples.Human weakness and sin led some of John's remaining disciples to feel envious and jealous as Jesus' ministry grew. They perceived Jesus' success as surpassing their own, leading them to desire what Jesus and His disciples had and feel discontented with their own circumstances. They were also jealous of the potential loss of their status within what seemed to be John's diminishing ministry.John, however, felt no envy or jealousy. He rejoiced greatly at Jesus' arrival because he knew that his ministry existed solely to point people to Jesus. The fulfillment of John's ministry was, in fact, its completion, as it gave way to the establishment and growth of Jesus' ministry. His final words to his disciples must continuously echo within our own minds and hearts: “He must increase; I must decrease.”We can apply John's humble words to our own souls by acknowledging that every good thing in our lives is a gift from God, not the result of our own efforts. For this reason, God's influence in our lives must increase while our control decreases. This is humbling because the closer we become united to Christ, the less we can take credit for our own actions. If God uses us, He deserves the glory, not us. Envy may tempt us to take credit for our own goodness and to feel discontent when others do not praise us. Jealousy may tempt us to hold on to self-righteousness, honors, and spiritual consolations when we are called to live more sacrificially and selflessly.Like John, as our Lord increases within us, exercising His sacred ministry within our souls, we must see ourselves as the best man at a wedding, rejoicing that the Groom has arrived, and pointing only to Him, rather than to ourselves. Just as John's mission was to prepare the way for Christ and then step aside, our efforts at conversion and repentance should culminate in Christ taking over. We must become His Body: His hands, His feet, and His heart. He must take over, and our will must become His will; our charity, His charity; our lives, His life. With Saint Paul, we must long for the day when we can cry out, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20). Reflect today on the conclusion of John's ministry as the beginning of Jesus' ministry. See John's decrease and Christ's increase as a model for your own soul. Consider all the effort you have put into repenting, turning from sin, and turning to God. See that effort as preparation for Jesus to take over. Let Him take over, and give Him all the credit and glory. Pray that He increases in your life to the point that it is no longer you who lives, but Christ Who lives in you. My transforming Lord, You invite me to embrace the humility of Saint John the Baptist so that my human effort, my actions, and all that I am will diminish as You take over my life. Please humble me, Lord, and transform me, making me into Your Body in the world. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Master of the Life of Saint John the Baptist, RiminiDaderot, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

"Saint Seraphim was born in the town of Kursk in 1759. From tender childhood he was under the protection of the most holy Mother of God, who, when he was nine years old, appeared to him in a vision, and through her icon of Kursk, healed him from a grave sickness from which he had not been expected to recover. At the age of nineteen he entered the monastery of Sarov, where he amazed all with his obedience, his lofty asceticism, and his great humility. In 1780 the Saint was stricken with a sickness which he manfully endured for three years, until our Lady the Theotokos healed him, appearing to him with the Apostles Peter and John. He was tonsured a monk in 1786, being named for the holy Hieromartyr Seraphim, Bishop of Phanarion (Dec. 4), and was ordained deacon a year later. In his unquenchable love for God, he continually added labours to labours, increasing in virtue and prayer with titan strides. Once, during the Divine Liturgy of Holy and Great Thursday he was counted worthy of a vision of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who appeared encompassed by the heavenly hosts. After this dread vision, he gave himself over to greater labours.   "In 1794, Saint Seraphim took up the solitary life in a cell in the forest. This period of extreme asceticism lasted some fifteen years, until 1810. It was at this time that he took upon himself one of the greatest feats of his life. Assailed with despondency and a storm of contrary thoughts raised by the enemy of our salvation, the Saint passed a thousand nights on a rock, continuing in prayer until God gave him complete victory over the enemy. On another occasion, he was assaulted by robbers, who broke his chest and his head with their blows, leaving him almost dead. Here again, he began to recover after an appearance of the most Holy Theotokos, who came to him with the Apostles Peter and John, and pointing to Saint Seraphim, uttered these awesome words, 'This is one of my kind.'   "In 1810, at the age of fifty, weakened by his more than human struggles, Saint Seraphim returned to the monastery for the third part of his ascetical labours, in which he lived as a recluse, until 1825. For the first five years of his reclusion, he spoke to no one at all, and little is known of this period. After five years, he began receiving visitors little by little, giving counsel and consolation to ailing souls. In 1825, the most holy Theotokos appeared to the Saint and revealed to him that it was pleasing to God that he fully end his reclusion; from this time the number of people who came to see him grew daily. It was also at the command of the holy Virgin that he undertook the spiritual direction of the Diveyevo Convent. He healed bodily ailments, foretold things to come, brought hardened sinners to repentance, and saw clearly the secrets of the heart of those who came to him. Through his utter humility and childlike simplicity, his unrivalled ascetical travails, and his angel-like love for God, he ascended to the holiness and greatness of the ancient God-bearing Fathers and became, like Anthony for Egypt, the physician for the whole Russian land. In all, the most holy Theotokos appeared to him twelve times in his life. The last was on Annunciation, 1831, to announce to him that he would soon enter into his rest. She appeared to him accompanied by twelve virgins martyrs and monastic saints with Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Theologian. With a body ailing and broken from innumerable hardships, and an unspotted soul shining with the light of Heaven, the Saint lived less than two years after this, falling asleep in peace on January 2, 1833, chanting Paschal hymns. On the night of his repose, the righteous Philaret of the Glinsk Hermitage beheld his soul ascending to Heaven in light. Because of the universal testimony to the singular holiness of his life, and the seas of miracles that he performed both in life and after death, his veneration quickly spread beyond the boundaries of the Russian Empire to every corner of the earth. See also July 19." (Great Horologion)   July 19 is the commemoration of the uncovering of St Seraphim's holy relics, which was attended by Tsar Nicholas II.   Saint Seraphim's life became a perpetual celebration of Pascha: in his later years he dressed in a white garment, greeted everyone, regardless of the season, with "Christ is Risen!" and chanted the Pascha service every day of the year

Advent IV, 2025.

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Saint John the Baptist calls out from the wilderness.

Read Online“I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11–12This passage comes just before Jesus is baptized and begins His public ministry. John the Baptist had been ministering in the desert of Judea, preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Many came to him to be baptized with a baptism of repentance. But when John saw many scribes and Pharisees coming to him, he said, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.” The passage above is John's warning to them—and to us—about what will happen if we fail to repent.At that time, when wheat was harvested, it was left to dry. Then, a winnowing fan was used to blow the wheat and chaff into the air. The lighter chaff would blow away, while the grains of wheat would fall to the ground to be gathered, milled into flour, and used for baking. John uses this familiar image to depict what Jesus will do with the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are like the grains of wheat that will be gathered and brought to Heaven. The wicked are like the chaff that, once separated from the righteous, will burn in the unquenchable fire of hell.Though it is comforting to speak of the glories of Heaven and to anticipate being brought there by our Lord, it is necessary to also consider the reality of the unquenchable fires of hell. Pondering the reality of those unquenchable fires is something we should not neglect.In his spiritual classic, The Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius of Loyola presents a format for a thirty-day directed silent retreat, considered by many to be the ideal retreat experience. During the first week of that retreat, the retreatant focuses primarily upon mortal sin and its consequences—the unquenchable fires of hell. Why would Saint Ignatius begin his retreat this way? Because he understood that the foundation of our growth in union with God is repentance, and repentance requires an honest and thorough examination of sin and its consequences.Reflect today on the unquenchable fires of hell, and allow yourself to foster a burning desire to flee from every sin that leads to that end. As we enter the second week of the penitential season of Advent, ponder this warning from Saint John the Baptist. Hear him speak those words directly to you. We must fear sin and avoid it, as much as we want to avoid the unquenchable fires of hell. Start with this foundational truth, so that having fostered deep repentance, you are ready to turn your heart and mind toward the glorious promise of Heaven. Jesus, our Just Judge, You hold the winnowing fan in Your sacred hand and separate the righteous from the sinner. Please grant me the grace to see my sin clearly, so that I may humbly acknowledge it and turn from it with all my might. May I build this foundation of repentance during Advent, so that Christmas becomes an even greater time of union with You. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Episode No. 735 features curators Dan Nadel and Laura Phipps, and curator Alexander J. Noelle. With Elizabeth Sussman and Scott Rothkopf, Nadel and Phipps are the co-curators of "Sixties Surreal" at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. The exhibition works to complicate the march of -isms which, outside the academy and too few art museums, has too often ossified into the the era's US art history. "Sixties Surreal" offers some of the ways in which artists working around the US (and not only in New York or for its market) mined surrealist thought and theory to help them reckon with the era's sociopolitical extremes. The exhibition is on view through January 19, 2026. The thought-provoking exhibition catalogue was published by the Whitney. Amazon and Bookshop offer it for about $40-45. Also, Nadel and Phipps have made a 113-song Spotify playlist to accompany the show. The Cleveland Museum of Art's remarkable autumn of major Italian Renaissance presentations continues with Noelle's "Filippino Lippi and Rome," a look at the Florentine's painter's work in and informed by travel to Rome. The impetus for the exhibition was Cleveland's own tondo The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Margaret (ca. 1488-93), a masterpiece and the only known independent work that Filippino produced in Rome. Filippino is the son of the famed Fra Filippo Lippi, and apprenticed and collaborated with Sandro Botticelli before working on his own. "Lippi and Rome" is on view through February 22, 2026. A superb catalogue was published by the museum. Amazon and Bookshop offer it for $40. Several months ago the Cleveland Museum of Art debuted Giambologna's Fata Morgana, a high-profile acquisition of a rare Giambologna marble sculpture. Instagram: Dan Nadel, Laura Phipps, Alexander J. Noelle, and Tyler Green.

(3:46) Bible Study: Ephesians 2:19-22 Who is Paul talking to in this passage? Luke 6:12-16 Jesu took all night to pray. How much more time should we take to pray? (19:00) Break 1 (20:35) Letters: What was Mary’s yes like for the Angels in heaven? How did Saint John the Baptist know that Jesus was the Christ? Who was the queen of the south in the Bible? Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (34:53) Break 2 (36:03) Word of the Day Apostle (39:37) Phones: Frank - I wanted clarity on the group of zealots in the Gospel of Luke. Anne - what is the rule about getting married after divorce.