Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist
The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. After completing his mission as Precursor of the Messiah, he was beheaded in prison at the command of Herod.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Thes 4:1-8
Brothers and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God– and as you are conducting yourselves– you do so even more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. This is the will of God, your holiness: that you refrain from immorality, that each of you know how to acquire a wife for himself in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion as do the Gentiles who do not know God; not to take advantage of or exploit a brother or sister in this matter, for the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you before and solemnly affirmed. For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 97:1 and 2b, 5-6, 10, 11-12 (R.12a)
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. R.
Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works. R.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory. R.
The LORD loves those who hate evil;
he guards the lives of his faithful ones;
from the hand of the wicked he delivers them. R.
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name. R.
Gospel – Mk 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.
Featured Saints
St. Sebbe, king and monk (†c. 693). Sovereign of the Eastern Saxons, he abdicated after wisely governing the kingdom for thirty years and became a monk in London.
Blessed Sancja Szymkowiak, virgin (†1942). Religious of the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Sorrows; she was dedicated to aiding prisoners of war in Poznań, Poland.
Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice, religious (†1844). Founded the Congregation of Christian Brothers, as well as the Presentation Brothers in Waterford, Ireland.
Blessed Bronislava, virgin (†1259). Religious from the Premonstratensian Monastery of Krakow, Poland. When it was destroyed by Tartars, she lived a humble and secluded life in a nearby hut.
St. Euphrasia of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, virgin (†1952). Religious of the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel, of the Syro-Malabar Rite, she died in the convent of Ollur in Kerala, India.
St. Mary of the Cross Jugan, virgin (†1879). Founded the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Saint-Servan-surMer, France. Unjustly removed from governance, she spent the rest of her life in prayer and humility.
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