“My mouth will tell your salvation.” Psalm 70:1-6.15-17

Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist

John announced the conversion and the turning of hearts to God, because the time was fulfilled. His testimony reached Herod himself, who recognized him as an honest and holy man. For his preaching he was imprisoned, imprisoned and finally beheaded, given as retribution to Herodias’ daughter: a martyrdom offering for his fidelity to the proclamation of the Messiah. John asks us to look towards God by looking at the other, leaving our selfishness and comforts to attend to the needs of others, because Jesus establishes a new relationship between people.