Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Intention: For parents sending children back to school this week, especially those doing it alone or on a tight budget, that they have what they need and are not made to feel judged for what they do not.
Today’s Gospel | Mark 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.
From the Twelfth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
If it happens that you have been aroused by some passion, avoid making any correction while you experience this emotion, because then the correction would be very harmful to your disciples as well as yourself. In hose situations enter into yourself and allow the time of anger to pass without showing it exteriorly. Then, when you feel that you are completely free of passion, you will be able to abandon yourself to God’s Spirit and make the correction you planned with all the moderation of which you are capable.
Prayer
Eternal Father, Herod liked listening to John and had him killed anyway, because there were guests in the room. Take from us the cowardice that acts in order to save face. Where we have made a promise we should never have made, give us the courage to break it rather than break someone else. Let the plainness of John the Baptist be worth imitating. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.