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Theo Tigno•
8/29/2006 2:05 pm
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Memorial of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist |
Mark 6:17-29
Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias' own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you." He 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." The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for those who passed away in the plane crash in Kentucky. Also, for Linda Zerangue who will be in surgery tomorrow for ovarian cancer.
Today is the Memorial of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist.
St. John the Baptist did something great: He pointed the way to The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. In today's reading, we see another part of our mission as Christians: bring light to those in darkness.
We should never take lightly our mission to bring Christ's light into the world, pointing the way to Christ and pointing others to Christ when they have their heads and hearts turned away. This is not something to take lightly. In most of today's world, Christians are still being imprisoned and killed for their faith and for calling others to conversion. Today, brothers and sisters, it is not enough only remember the sacrifice of St. John the Baptist. We must remember that we are called to speak the truth and stand up for the truth, regardless of the consequences. Take care and God Bless.
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