The Beheading of St John the Baptist, François Perrier (1594–1649), Kedlestone HallIt’s right that we’re often asked to think of Jesus in terms of his loving and compassionate teaching… We’re asked to love one another, to forgive, to care for those who are hurting.

But the Gospel has another side: Jesus’ harder teachings. The teachings that challenge us, disturb us, and sometimes make us uncomfortable.

Today I ask you to reflect on the beheading of John the Baptist. John wasn’t afraid to speak a difficult truth to Herod. He could have kept quiet. He could have avoided confrontation and protected himself. But he chose faithfulness over convenience, ultimately costing him his life — a life taken by deceit, jealousy and an inability to face the truth.

And that tells us something important about discipleship.

Following Christ is not simply about accepting the parts of the Gospel that we find attractive or comforting. It means allowing the whole Gospel to speak to us… even when it challenges our choices, our priorities or the way we live.

John shows us that discipleship requires courage. He was prepared to speak the truth, even when it brought him into conflict with those in power. He did not seek confrontation, but he also did not remain silent when truth and justice were at stake.

Centuries later, we see something similar in the life of Saint Oscar Romero. As Archbishop of San Salvador, he spoke out against violence, injustice and the suffering of the poor. He knew the risks, yet he continued to speak because he believed that remaining silent in the face of injustice was not an option for a follower of Christ.

Both John the Baptist and Oscar Romero remind us that discipleship is not about seeking conflict or martyrdom. It is about having the courage to remain faithful when the truth is difficult, when speaking out is unpopular, and when silence would be the easier choice.

Their death also reminds us that being faithful does not always mean that things will work out as we’d like. John the Baptist was the beacon; he did the right thing, and yet he suffered for it. There was no earthly reward or happy ending.

But John’s life was never about himself. His whole purpose was to point beyond himself towards Christ. Even in death, his witness remains.

Perhaps that is one of the lessons we can take from John. We are not called to be popular, or to make everyone agree with us. We are called to be faithful.

And sometimes that will mean accepting that following Christ is difficult. It may mean challenging our own attitudes, admitting that we are wrong, or having the courage to stand by our faith when it would be easier to remain silent.

The Gospel is good news… but it is not always comfortable news.

John’s death asks each of us a simple question: When the teaching of Christ becomes difficult, are we prepared to remain faithful?