Step By Step

Today’s Gospel is a grim story – the execution or the beheading of John the Baptist.  And how did things get so bad?  Because it begins by saying that Herod liked to listen to John.  Well, Saint John of the Cross writes, “Through the practice of one virtue all the virtues grow; and through the indulgence of one vice all the vices and their effects grow.”  I think it’s as simple as that.  Herod didn’t get to this point like that – click.  I think it’s by step by step indulgence.  Nor do we get to heaven like that – click.  It’s by step by step practice of virtue.  That’s the call of today’s Gospel.