The Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist - Memorial
The Beheading of John the Baptist,Martyr
Commentary of the day
Saint Bede the Venerable : Forerunner in death as in life
Reading
Jer. 1:17-19.
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.
Mk 6:17-29.
Herod was the one who had John 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's 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.
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Commentary of the day
Saint Bede the Venerable (c.673-735), monk, Doctor of the Church
Hymn for the martyrdom of John the Baptist ; PL 94, 630
Forerunner in death as in life
Great forerunner of grace and messenger of the truth,John the
Baptist, burning light for Christ,became an evangelist of the eternal
Light.The prophetic witness that unceasingly he gave through
his message, life and work,he stamps today with his blood and
martyrdom.He had always gone before his Lord:in birth he
announced his coming to the world;in baptising repentant sinners in
the Jordanhe prefigured him who came to institute baptism.And
John the Baptist also went beforehand through the death of the Redeemer,
his Savior,who restored life to the worldby shedding his blood
through love on his behalf. A cruel tyrant might well conceal
him in prison and in chains,chains could not bind, in Christ, the one
whose heart's freedom opens to the Kingdom.How might the darkness and
torture of a gloomy dungeongain mastery over him who beholds Christ's
glory,who receives from Christ the gifts of the Holy Spirit?Today he rejoices to complete his mission as forerunnerby his
departure from this world.What he witnessed to in his
lifetime,the Christ who comes and even now is here,he proclaims
today by his death.How could the dwellings of the dead hold back this
messenger?All the righteous, with the prophets and martyrs,
rejoiceand go with him to meet the Savior.They all surround
John with their love and praisesand join him in imploring Christ to
come at last to all his own.O great forerunner of the Redeemer,
he no longer tarrieswho will set you free from death forever.Guided by your Lord,enter with all the saints into his glory!
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--
Nam-Phong Le
" NAKED I CAME FROM MY MOTHER'S WOMB,
NAKED I SHALL RETURN.
THE LORD GAVE, THE LORD HAS TAKEN BACK,
BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD."
JOB. 1: 21
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