Lessons from the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

Indeed, precious lessons can be learned from the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist whose liturgical memorial is celebrated on August 29. One is that we should expect suffering and possible martyrdom if we truly seek to follow Christ, the very embodiment of truth and love, which we should pursue and defend without let up in our life.

- Fr. Roy Cimagala

Thus, we should lose the fear of suffering and death. If we are faithful to Christ, whom St. John the Baptist served all the way to his death, there is really nothing to be afraid of suffering and death, and the other negative things that can mark our life.

With the passion and death of Christ, which St. John the Baptist anticipatedly experienced, the curse of suffering and death has been removed. As St. Paul described it beautifully, “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor 15,54-55)