As an adult, John the Baptist lived as a hermit in the wilderness. After the Spirit inspired him, he went about preaching that the people should repent of their sins and be baptized in order to prepare for the Messiah. He fearlessly denounced the marriage of King Herod to Herodias, his brother’s wife. So Herodias had a grudge against him.

 

First Reading: (Jer 1:17-19)

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Gird up your loins; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you.”

 

Ps 70:1-6, 15, 17

R./ My lips will tell of your justice

 

Gospel: (Mk 6:17-29)

Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the baptizer.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

 

Reflection:

The incident of the beheading of St John the Baptist presents the char­acter of King Herod, who underwent an intense tribulation and invites us to make an honest examination of conscience in the light of this “murder most foul!” In his shaken state of mind, King Herod hears about the deeds and wonders of another Man, Jesus. Unable to grasp the identity of this new Man, Who works marvels, he asks, “ Who is this Man about Whom I hear such wonders?” (Mk 6:16). King Herod was greatly disturbed with a guilty conscience and a sinful heart. The consequence of a deadly sin can paralyse one’s mind and soul to deep ordeals of torture and anguish! May the Catholic practise of “daily examination of conscience” be revived in our lives, so as to challenge ourselves to live a holy and blameless life like St John the Baptist.