“May the mighty witness given by St John the Baptist, to remain firm and convinced in the values of the Kingdom!”

(Based on the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist)

“Here’s the smell of the blood still…

All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.
… oh, oh, oh!”

This is the infamous line uttered by Lady Macbeth, in Shakespeare’s famous work, “Macbeth”.

Having successfully plotted in killing King Duncan…
… Lady Macbeth, the main character of the play, undergoes a terrible and dreadful agony of the guilt and culpability of the murder.

The death of innocent blood haunts and torments her soul and plunges her into deep distress.

The consequence of a deadly sin can paralyze one’s mind and soul to deep ordeals of torture and anguish!

Today on this Memorial of the Martyrdom of St John the Baptist, the Gospel of the Day presents one such character – King Herod…
…. who underwent an intense tribulation after having murdered John the Baptist, an innocent and holy man.

And invites us to make an honest examination of conscience in the light of this “murder most foul!”

One of the important focus subject of this “soul-stirring and heart-gripping” incident is the aspect of Conscience.

Conscience is the inner guide to determine the right from wrong.

The Catholic Church, in her teaching on the Conscience says: “Deep within his conscience, man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey.

Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment.
For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God
His conscience is man’s most secret core and his sanctuary.
There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths. (CCC #1776)

The education of the conscience is a life-long task.

However, as a person grows up – going through various experiences in life – there can be…
… errors that creep into the conscience
… areas in the conscience that are never informed

Hence, the formation of the Conscience is to be of utmost importance in the moral life of a person – a formation that has the Word of God as the light for our path!

In the Gospel, we encounter King Herod, who failed to give heed to the Word of God, prophetically spoken by John the Baptist.

The Word of God was directly addressed to him…
… but he chose to reject it.

The Result: His conscience became subdued and the voice of his own personal desires grew louder in the depths of his heart!

The Word of God was put forward to him and challenged his moral integrity and his lustful life…
… but he failed to give any heed to the call to repent or change.

The Result: His conscience was stifled and its gentle voice was drowned in the ocean of adulterous appetite and carnal cravings.

This danger is a possibility in so many of our lives too…

We hear God’s Word telling us not to do certain things, or forbids us from following a particular lifestyle…
… but often, we don’t give any consideration to it, and live life “bindaas” – without any fear!

We are informed by people who care for us, on the need to mend our ways or to live a life which is more disciplined or oriented towards our faith…
… but sometimes, we just don’t bother about it, or pretend as if “We know to live our lives, without anyone’s advices”

We come to know of the many wrongs that we indulge ourselves in, or are made aware of the sinful paths that we may be treading across…
… but quite often, we sink into the waters of lethargy or indifference or climb up the mountain of pride and arrogance

The Result?
Our conscience becomes weakened…
… fails to become a forceful power in our lives
… and slowly, stutters towards a crippling death!

The powerfully intense story of the Beheading of John the Baptist is a mighty call for us to give greater heed to the formation of our conscience.

Can we take some practical resolutions (just to mention a few) to help towards the same…

Making a daily examination of conscience (ideally twice a day – noon and night – or at least at the end of the day)
… consciously going through each activity of the day
… thanking the Lord for all His blessings at every step of the day
… discovering the moments when we have strayed away from His paths and failed to do His Will
… make deliberate and practical decisions to amend them, and to foster actions of goodness

Reading the Word of God – seeking to assimilate and moulding one’s lives as per the Sacred Will of God
… setting apart, strictly, at least a few minutes of the day ( Let’s not forget that “a day consists of 1440 minutes… 86,400 seconds!!) to spend time with the Word of God

Seeking to spend more time in personal prayer (ideally and whenever possible, before the Most Blessed Sacrament)
… The conscience derives strength, clarity and cleansing, when presented before its Creator!

Strengthening our Sacramental life especially in the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Confession
… making it a point to participate in the Holy Eucharist more often (with wholehearted preparation and due reverence)
… resolving to make a Confession at very regular times (probably, once in a month), realizing that Confession is not only for “forgiveness of sins” but also “for grace to be stronger and courageous in one’s spiritual life)

Like Lady Macbeth or King Herod, the burden of our sins and weakness might plague us…

But the Lord promises His treasure of peace, tranquility and harmony if we seek Him in sincerity!

The consequence of a deadly sin can paralyze one’s mind and soul to deep ordeals of torture and anguish!

The perfumes of Arabia cannot cleanse us.
The wealth of the world cannot satisfy us.

But the Blood of Christ will purify us…

The Body of Christ will strengthen us
The Word of Christ will enliven us!

May the mighty witness given by St John the Baptist, to remain firm and convinced in the values of the Kingdom…
… even in the face of martyrdom, be a big challenge to all us in this secular world!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil.

The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbour’s tempter. (CCC # 2284)