Reflection on the commemoration of the Beheading of Saint John the Forerunner

As the liturgical year draws to a close, the life of the Forerunner comes to its earthly end. As he goes before Christ—before us—in all things, so it is with the end of the year. May the holy Forerunner’s prayers forerun us in all our doings, and may his intercessions especially go before us when the years of our life come to an end; may his supplications, joined with those of the Mother of God and of all the saints, open for us the way to heaven, where the years have no end and every season bears the best of fruit.