photo taken aug 2006

 

aug 29 2006

Memorial of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist

2 Thes 2:1-3a, 14-17 We ask you, brothers and sisters, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a “spirit,” or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand. Let no one deceive you in any way. To this end he has also called you through our Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.

Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13 R. (13b) The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.He has made the world firm, not to be moved;he governs the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;let the sea and what fills it resound;let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Before the LORD, for he comes;for he comes to rule the earth.He shall rule the world with justiceand the peoples with his constancy.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.

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.

John the Baptist was the object of hatred by Herodius. She had contempt for him because he had said that Herod should not have married his brother's wife. It appears almost incestuous for Herod to be sitting and watching his stepdaughter dance for his party guests and himself. Herod feared John the Baptist and liked to hear him speak although he was confused by him. Perhaps, he might have been converted if he had continued to listen to John the Baptist.

The cycle continues today. There are those in our modern times who are prophets and speak the work of God in the midst of present circumstances. The price of being a prophet and following only the will of God is still high in worldly terms and prophets are still harshly treated when they proclaim the Word of God and witness to the truth in Christ. The rewards of the prophet are in the Kingdom, not in this world.

Since 2000, I always think of Florence, Fierenze, on this day. It is a holy day for the entire city and celebrated in a rich and full way that is quite touching. My dad and I were able to be a part of the commemoration activites August 29th 2000. I also have a special place in my heart for the small Benedictine monastery on a hill that overlooks the river in Florence. I pray today for those Christians who are persecuted for proclaiming the Gospel around the world.