Salome with the Head of John the Baptist, Caravaggio (London)

"A feast in memory of that day, when St. John Baptist, for reproving Herod's incestuous living with his brother's wife, was cast in prison; and his life being given for a reward to Herodias for her dancing, he was beheaded in prison, at her request.

See the reward of St. John's charity in reproving a public crime. And can you wonder that so very few have courage to undertake the task? How many live in the practice of scandalous crimes, who meet many flatterers and encouragers, but seldom find plain dealers who put them in mind of their unchristian method!

The apprehension of their displeasure, and of losing an interest in them, is a sufficient discouragement to such as lament their disorders, and desire their good. Is not this a sign that their self-love is greater than their charity; and that they have not courage enough to be good?

This is undoubtedly a business of difficulty, requiring great prudence, not fit for all persons, nor for all times; and inconsiderate zeal may be as mischievous as cowardice, or want of charity. Being therefore an affair of such nicety, it ought well to be considered and consulted before it is undertaken; so that the design of charity may not be frustrated by imprudence. But the greater number fall under the guilt of the other extreme; and it is a reproach to Christians, that this part of charity is so much abandoned by them.

Many offend through mere indiscretion, and are disposed enough for friendly advice; but continue in their disorders for want of such advice.

Observe how this dancing ends in cruelty and blood; and how a prophet is sacrificed to conclude the pastime. Dancing being exposed to great abuses, and snares being here too often laid to betray unwary souls, Christians should be very cautious how they engage in such diversion. To love them is dangerous, to embrace all offers, is running into temptation; and they give so much encouragement to all that is evil, that there is no engaging in them without great danger to innocence and virtue."

The Catholic Year or daily lessons on the feasts of the Church, by Rev. Fr. John Gother 1861

John the Baptist and the Meaning of Marriage by Fr. David Friel

“As a last act, the Baptist bears witness with his blood to his fidelity to God’s commandments, without giving up or turning back, thus fulfilling his mission to the end. St. Bede, a 9th century monk, in his Homilies says: St. John, for Christ, gave up his life, even though [his persecutor] had not demanded that he should deny Jesus Christ, but only that he should keep silent about the truth. And he did not keep silent about the truth, and thus he died for Christ who is the Truth. For love of the truth, he did not give in to compromises with those who were powerful, nor was he afraid to address strong words to the one who lost his way to God.

“Now we see this great figure — this force — in his passion, in his resistance against the powerful. We ask: where does this life come from, this interiority, which is so strong, so principled, so consistent, which is spent so totally for God and in preparing the way for Jesus? The answer is simple: from his relationship with God, from prayer, which is the guiding thread of his entire life. […]

“Dear brothers and sisters, celebrating the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist also reminds us — Christians in our own times — that we cannot give into compromise when it comes to our love for Christ, for his Word, for his Truth. The Truth is the Truth; there is no compromise. The Christian life requires, as it were, the “martyrdom” of daily fidelity to the Gospel; the courage, that is, to allow Christ to increase in us and to direct our thoughts and actions. But this can only occur in our lives if our relationship with God is strong.”

General audience of Pope Benedict XVI delivered on 29th August, 2012, Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist.