John the Baptist had angered Herod, who threw him in his dungeon. Amidst the rot in his cell, John was content. When he received a visit from his followers, they bowed their heads in pity.

“Do not worry!” the youngest among them cried. “God will deliver you! He will shake the walls of this prison! He will strike Herod dead where he stands! And you will be a free man again!”

John laughed. “Do you have God’s ear, my friend?”

Then he pointed to the walls of his cell. “In here, I sit with God every day. When I was outside this prison, I walked with God every day. And when the guard brings me food and water, I eat and drink at the Lord’s table. I am already free. Can you say the same for yourselves?”

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