Today we attend to the appalling and glorious end of St. John the Baptist. Appalling because of Herod and his clique; glorious because of the courageous demonstration of John. It is surprising how far morbidity can reach when you live in deceit. A party, a dance ... "what shall I ask for?" asked Herodias’ daughter. And the dejected mother answered, "The head of John the Baptist" Really, in very bad taste! "If you want someone's head, it is because you have lost your own" Would it not have been better to listen to the Baptist?