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 2:1-8
You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our reception among you was not without effect. Rather, after we had suffered and been insolently treated, as you know, in Philippi, we drew courage through our God to speak to you the Gospel of God with much struggle. Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives, nor did it work through deception. But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, that is how we speak, not as trying to please men, but rather God, who judges our hearts. Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed–God is witness– nor did we seek praise from men, either from you or from others, although we were able to impose our weight as Apostles of Christ. Rather, we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 139:1-3, 4-6 (R.1)
R.You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
O LORD, You have probed me and You know me;
You know when I sit and when I stand;
You understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest You scrutinize,
with all my ways You are familiar. R.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, You know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, You hem me in
and rest Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
too lofty for me to attain. 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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