Our Venerable Father Sisoes the Great (c. 429)
1 Corinthians 6:20-7:12; Matthew 14:1-13
Read Matthew 14:1-13
Today we read the same passage we hear during festal matins on August 29 for the beheading of John the Baptist. John was put “in prison on account of Herodias, [Herod’s] brother Philip’s wife, because John had been telling him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her’” (Mt. 14:3-4). Prophets had the tendency to get in trouble with civil authorities because they would speak the truth without restraint, even if it resulted in prison or death. Today, it seems many people are afraid to speak the truth in fear that they might offend somebody and perhaps face consequences that negatively affect them socially or financially. John the Baptist spoke the truth to Herod about his brother’s illegitimate relationship with Herodias, and it resulted in his imprisonment and ultimately his death.