The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her.So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. (Mk 6:14-29)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020626.cfm
There is a risk of preaching of truth to power. The Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire recently urged his priests “to get their affairs in order, to make sure they have their wills written.”¨ The bishop expects a new era of martyrdom as the church prepares to defend vulnerable people against societal violence. Saint Paul Miki (1562-1597) and his companions are the first martyrs of Japan. https://youtu.be/kJwJBnnj1gI?si=Pi0pimkcPKHKOc-3
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Saint Paul Miki, presbyter, & Companions, martyrs, February 6
