>>> MARTYRDOM OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
THE FATE OF GOD’S TRUE PROPHET
Introduction
As a witness to integrity and the honest truth, John the Baptist lost his life to cunning and violence. But he had to speak, whatever the consequences. God’s word cannot be muzzled. Does the Church – do we – have this courage today?
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
St. John the Baptist
prepared and went the way of your Son
both in his birth and in his death.
He died a martyr’s death
because he stood up for integrity and truth.
Give us the courage, we pray you,
to speak out when needed
in the name of the gospel
and to bear witness in word and action
to Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen!
1 Reading – 1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-5
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
Responsorial PSALM 119:97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102
R. (97) Lord, I love your commands.
How I love your law, O LORD!
It is my meditation all the day.
R. Lord, I love your commands. R.
Your command has made me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me. R.
I have more understanding than all my teachers
when your decrees are my meditation. R.
I have more discernment than the elders,
because I observe your precepts. R.
From every evil way I withhold my feet,
that I may keep your words. R.
From your ordinances I turn not away,
for you have instructed me. R.
Alleluia – MATTHEW 5:10
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel – 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.
Commentary
Ask of a Lifetime
A young man was consumed with the desire to know life’s meaning. He heard about an all-knowing guru who lived on a mountain, who could answer him. However, no one before him had succeeded in reaching there, for the mountain was very dangerous to climb. Besides, the legend was that one could ask only one question to the guru. The man knew what to ask. And he resolutely climbed the mountain and reached the top. He was ceremoniously taken to the seat of the guru. To his utter disbelief, the guru was a young, beautiful woman. As he stood stunned, the lady guru said: “Ask your only question.” Stutteringly he asked: “Madam, are you married?”
Think now: Of all the things in the world Salome could have asked for, she asked for the head of John the Baptist! What could she have done with it, unless she were a cannibal? What a waste of an opportunity of a lifetime! Hatred for the truth could be as cold as cannibalistic thirst for innocent blood. But, how different are we before God?
Intentions
– Lord, give eloquence and courage to our leaders and all teachers in the Church, that they may understand the Gospel and proclaim it as Good News of liberation to all, we pray:
– Lord, open our eyes to the miseries of people; make us concerned about those imprisoned in their fears and the grip of injustice, we pray:
– Lord, make us receptive to your word. Free us from banality and fear, our self-security and certainties, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
on the feast of your martyr John the Baptist
we bring bread and wine before you
to celebrate the memory of your Son.
Give us John’s courage,
to prepare and to be
a straight road to your Son.
May the message of our Christian living
not be a voice in the wilderness
but a humble way to Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
in a world of violence
we are easily afraid of bearing witness
to the good news of your Son.
We prefer prudence to courage.
Stir us up and move us forward
in the strength of this Eucharist
to speak your word of justice and truth
and to abide by it,
that we may win the whole kingdom
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Blessing
Today, with Jesus alive among us in our community, we should be courageous enough to say the truth like John, and be ready to declare with Jesus: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon us. He sends us to bring Good News to the poor.” May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!