DAILY- HOMILY

AUGUST 29, 2011
MEMORIAL, MARTYRDOM OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
MONDAY 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

Jer 1:17-19 / Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17 / Mk 6:17-29

JEREMIAH 1:17-19
But you, get ready for action; stand up and say to them all that I
command you. Be not scared of them or I will scare you in their
presence! See, I will make you a fortified city, a pillar of iron with
walls of bronze, against all the nations, against the kings and
princes of Judah, against the priests and the people of the land. They
will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I am with you
to rescue you—it is Yahweh who speaks."

MARK 6:17-29
Herod had ordered John the Baptist to be arrested and had him bound
and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
Herod had married her and John had told him, "It is not right for you
to live with your brother's wife." So Herodias held a grudge against
John and wanted to kill him, but she could not because Herod respected
John. He knew John to be an upright and holy man and kept him safe.
And he liked listening to him, although he became very disturbed
whenever he heard him. Herodias had her chance on Herod's birthday,
when he gave a dinner for all the senior government officials,
military chiefs and the leaders of Galilee. On that occasion the
daughter of Herodias came in and danced; and she delighted Herod and
his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want
and I will give it to you." And he went so far as to say with many
oaths, "I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom." She
went out to consult her mother, "What shall I ask for?" The mother
replied, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried to the king
and made her request: "I want you to give me the head of John the
Baptist, here and now, on a dish." The king was very displeased, but
he would not refuse in front of his guests because of his oaths. So he
sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring John's head. He went
and beheaded John in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and
gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother. When John's
disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and buried it.

REFLECTION
Herod was the son of Herod the Great who wanted Jesus killed, and
ordered the slaughter of the infants in Bethlehem. Herodias wanted to
silence John the Baptist because he kept reminding her of her
sinfulness. Using her power as queen, she ordered the beheading of
John the Baptist. Now, she had to live with both adultery and murder.

When we choose sin over righteousness we get our priorities wrong. Sin
enslaves us and clouds our judgment. Sin does not listen to reason but
is overruled by passions. We start to forget God and His commandments
by giving in to our sinful desires. We can learn from the example of
Saint John the Baptist to seek the will of God at all times. For if we
die with the Lord, we shall live with the Lord. But if we die doing
wrong, where are we going to be? The choices we make here on ear th
have an impact in eternity.

We need to pray to the Lord to be able to see things clearly in order
to make the right decisions, to reject sin in all its forms, to choose
what is right and do the will of God in all things. We learn from
today's readings, from today's feast to live a righteous life. The
road of righteousness does not free us from suffering and death. But
if we choose what is right, then we are choosing God, and if we prefer
to love Him with our whole hear t and soul and strength above all
else, then we please the God of love.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Lisa Chan
- Loida Buensalida
- Mae Ignacio
- Antonio Evangelista
- Jo Marcelo
- Jun Lee
- Jonathan Salazar
- Wally Torres
- Mon Torres
… for the personal intentions of Andrew G
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Anna Limpe McAvoy
- Andrew Que
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them.
May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Criste R. Dadua
… for families who are in need of healing
… 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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