Today the church celebrates The Passion or the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist. Let us pray. O God, who will that Saint John the Baptist should go ahead of Your Son. both in his birth and in his death. Grant that as he died a martyr for truth and justice, we too may fight hard for the confession of what you teach. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen