This Sunday (12th week in Ordinary Time) is one of the very few Sundays which give way to a saint's feast. This is a fitting tribute to a strong courageous man who knew when it was time to give way to one more important than himself.

John was an ascetical, determined and uncompromising person. Such people can be difficult to deal with. John, however, fully accepted the fact that his role was to introduce to the world the one who would be ultimately responsible for its salvation. No more, no less. Even when many gathered around him, attracted by the force of his personality, he never attempted to build up a band of supporters who would aid him in a bid for power. We can see his integrity when in the first chapter of John he points to Jesus as "The Lamb of God". In doing so he lost two very influential followers. John said of Jesus, "He must increase but I must decrease." He challenged the powerful people who opposed Jesus and rebuked Herod for his misconduct. He died for the truth that Jesus came to bring. John's death and burial stand in sharp contrast to his importance in God's plan for the salvation of the world. He died alone and in prison. His headless body was collected and buried by his disciples" It seems a cold, friendless, empty way to die. His name, however, lives on, prefixed by the word "saint". He knew his place and he kept to it.