Friday, August 29, 2014 Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist (memory) Saint (s) of the Day: Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist (memory), St. Jeanne Jugan, virgin and founder (1792-1879) See comment below, or click here Saint Bede the Venerable: Forerunner in death as in life Jeremiah 1.17 to 19. The Lord spoke to me and said, Get up, you will take against them all that I command you. Do not tremble before them, otherwise its me who will tremble before them. I have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, a wall of bronze, to deal with the whole country, the kings of Judah and his princes, its priests and the people. They will fight, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with thee to deliver thee. Word of the Lord. Psalm 71 (70) 1-3.5-6ab.15ab.17. In you, Lord, I have my refuge: keep me from being humiliated forever. In your justice, defend me, free me, incline your ear to me, and save me. Be the rock that welcomes me always accessible; you have to save me: my fortress and my rock, its you! Lord my God, thou art my hope, my support from my youth. you, my support even before I was born, You chose me from the womb; My mouth ad all day your acts of righteousness and salvation; My God, thou hast taught me from my youth, so far, I proclaim your wondrous deeds. Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Mark 6.17 to 29. Herod, the ruler of Galilee, had arrested John and put him in prison. Indeed, he had married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, and John said, You do not have the right to take your brothers wife. Herodias in so angry with John, and she tried to have him put to death. But she could not do it because Herod feared John, he knew that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe; when he had heard, he was very embarrassed, and yet he loved to hear. However, a favorable opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his dignitaries, heads of the army and the notables of Galilee. The daughter of Herodias came on and danced. She pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, Ask me whatever you want, I will give it. He made this assertion: Whatever you ask I will give you, even if its half of my kingdom. She then went to tell his mother, What am I going to ask? Herodias said, The head of John the Baptist. Once the girl hurried back to the king, and made this request: I want that then you give me on a platter the head of John the Baptist. The king was deeply upset; but because of the oath before the guests, he did not want him rejected. He immediately sent a guard with orders to bring Johns head. The guard went and beheaded him in the prison. He brought his head on a platter, gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard this, they came and took his body and laid him in a tomb. Extract of the Liturgical Translation of the Bible - © AELF, Paris Comment of the day: St. Bede the Venerable (v. 673-735), monk, Doctor of the Church Anthem for the Martyrdom of John the Baptist; PL 94, 630 Precursor in death as in life Illustrates precursor messenger of grace and truth Jean Baptiste, the torch of Christ became the evangelist of eternal Light. Prophetic witness that he had continued to make, In his message, his life and activity, Today it a sign of his blood and his martyrdom. He always preceded his Master: At birth, he announced his birth. Baptizing penitents Jordan he foreshadowed the man who had set his baptism. And death of Christ the Redeemer, the Savior, who gave life to the world, Jean Baptiste has also lived in advance shedding his blood for him out of love. A cruel tyrant beautiful hide in prison and in chains in Christ, the chains can not bind that a free heart opens to the Kingdom. How dark and torture of a dark dungeon Could be due to the seeing the glory of Christ, and receives from him the gifts of the Spirit? Its happy he offers his head to the sword of the executioner; how could he lose his head, he that hath Head Christ? He is happy to complete his pioneering role today by his departure from this world. What he witnessed in his lifetime Christ who comes and who is there, proclaims his death today. Hell could he remember this messenger that eludes him? The righteous prophets and martyrs are in joy, going with him to meet the Savior. All around Jean their praise and love. With him, they are now begging Christ to come into his own at last. Great precursor of the Redeemer, it will not be long, one that frees you forever from death. Led by thy Lord, between, with the saints in glory!
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:26:04 +0000
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