BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SPEAKS TO THE POWER OF PROPHECY...........

The liturgical feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, is a powerful reminder to all Catholic-Christian Disciples that prophecy and speaking with a prophetic voice, has a discernible affect on the life of the world, as well as the work of God's Kingdom.  John the Baptist whose role and responsibility as the last herald of the Lord's Coming into the World, was to proclaim the Truth and prepare his listeners for the message of Salvation Jesus preaches.  John the Baptizer was raised up by God, to be the final prophetic voice before the Coming of the Messiah,- the Christ,- the Anointed One,- Who is the Redeemer of Humankind.  John 's completed his prophetic purpose by carrying out his role as precursor to the Christ, austerely, abstemiously, and focused on evangelizing, and converting, the hearts and minds of his audience, in repentance and the seeking of forgiveness for sin.  From the appearance of Jesus, at the outset of His three year, Public Ministry, John the Baptist sought to lessen his role and focus attention on the work of Jesus the Christ, and the salvific mission He accomplishes as God's Son.  John grew lesser, as Jesus grew greater, to the point of the Baptizer's imprisonment in a dungeon; and his beheading as a result of King Herod's insecurity, foolhardiness, and timidity.  Remember the lesson of Herod, anytime you box yourself into a corner of cowardice.  Like the Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist on June 24th, the Feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist, August 29th, causes me to remember the parishioners of Folsom, whom I was pleased to minister to as Associate Pastor , with Rev. Fr. William Kinane, from September 26, 1988 - May 14, 1992.  To the current Pastor, Rev. Fr. Rey Bersabol, member Elaine Massey, with whom I worked very closely, and all the good people of St. John the Baptist Parish, Folsom; I send my prayers and best wishes...........Fr.  Troy