Yesterday, National Heroes Day, our nation remembered her heroes of long ago — men and women who fought for what they believed was our sovereign right as a people and who braved death against all odds.  Today, in our gospel reading (Mark 6:17-29), the evangelist Mark tells the story about the martyrdom of John the Baptist.

This is a familiar story to many of us. John, who was the voice crying in the desert, was sent by God to prepare the way of the Lord. Scripture tells us that many people followed John looking to him for hope, perhaps expecting some great Messianic power, but John never allowed himself the false honor of receiving these people for his own glory. He knew his calling was one of preparation.  And when the time came, he led his disciples to Jesus. And yet even then, he did not hesitate to speak the truth and accused the guilty, even King Herod himself. And this led to his imprisonment and to his most gruesome and untimely execution as described in today’s gospel.