DAILY- HOMILY

29 August 2016 

Monday, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time

Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist  

Memorial.       Red.         

Jer 1:17 – 19 / Mk. 6:17 – 29

From the Gospel Reading: Mk 6: 17 - 28

Herod had ordered John 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. 

Reflection

John's birth to a barren mother in her old age had been announced by an angel to his father in his old age. In the womb he had "leapt for joy" at the visit of Mary who was with child with the Son of the Most High. 

His task was to prepare the way of the Lord through a baptism for the repentance of sins.  Jailed for standing for what is right against the king, he was beheaded because of his witness to what he believed to be right, even against the king.

We ask the Lord, through the intercession of St. John the Baptist, to fully appreciate our faith and, like St. John the Baptist, to live in accordance with its dictates and even to be willing to give our life in defence of this faith.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Criste R. Dadua

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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