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.

Passion of Saint John the Baptist, August 29

The king even swore many things to her, "I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request, "I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist." (Mk 6:17-29)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082924.cfm
When you can have anything you want—even to half of the kingdom—what does you ask for? The martyrdom of John the Baptist foreshadows Jesus own death on the Cross. The choices we make have consequences, not only in our lives, but in the lives of others.