Give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter.
(Mark 6:25)
John lost his head because he spoke up to those in power. He offended Herodias because she condemned Herod’s taking her from his brother.
I’m in Florence which has John the Baptist as its patron and so I’ve encountered a few images of John’s beheading and his head on a platter.
He lost his head for a reason, but we sometimes use the expression in English “losing one’s head” to indicate that one is acting irrationally, emotionally.
Perhaps speaking truth to power is irrational in the eye’s of many. It disturbs the peace. It disquiets people.
But maybe that is our vocation – to carefully say what needs to be said when we find situations of injustice and lack of love.
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