Today's readings have a common theme -- a good man being got rid of because he spoke the truth. The Gospel recalls how John the Baptist met his death. He was a prophet of the Lord and his task was to communicate God's message and, when necessary, to denounce evil. He criticised King Herod for taking his brother's wife, Herodias, while his own wife was still living. This was in clear violation of the Law of Moses. Herodias then capitalised on her husband's weaknesses and got him to do what he did not want to do - get rid of a man whose goodness he really admired. Jeremiah, too, is threatened with death simply for telling the people what will happen to Jerusalem and the Temple if they do not change their ways. We say that honesty is the best policy and it is. But it can have its price. We see that in the life of Jesus himself and in the many martyrs who preferred to remain true to their conscience than compromise for a short-term gain.