Monday, August 28, 2006
Memorial, Beheading of St John the Baptist
August 29, 2006
Memorial, Beheading of St John the Baptist
Tuesday 21st Week in Ordinary Time - Yr II
JEREMIAH 1:17-19
Brothers and sisters, but do you gird your loins; stand up and tell
them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though
I would leave you crushed before them; For it is I this day who have
made you a fortified city, A pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against
the whole land: Against Judah's kings and princes, against its priests
and people. They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for
I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.
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.
REFLECTION
All Christians know how John the Baptist died. Perhaps we're not as
well informed about how he lived. John died because he lived by
religious principles, and because he fearlessly preached God's law
openly, even though his preaching most surely would offend powerful
people. John was a true prophet. John pulled no punches and did not
withhold criticism simply because the people he was criticizing were
rich and powerful. This of course was his undoing.
At our baptism we were anointed prophets. We're expected therefore to
give witness to Christian values. There's very little chance that we
will be asked to put our lives on the line in defense of Christ's
values. Living by and defending Christian values, nonetheless, can be
costly. For the businessman it may mean loss of income: he will reject
deals which involve corruption. Parents will have to reject career
promotions when these will deny them the time they should give to the
formation of their children.
We may not be called to die as John the Baptist died. We are called to
live as he lived.
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Charito Manalo
- for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our
prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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� 2006 Daily-Homily
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