John the Baptist was beheaded at the request of the daughter of Herodias by order of Herod
Invitation
May I hereby draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation wants to share with you the joy of the Gospel.
Everyone, no one except
0.,
can experience this joy by opening his heart
to the healing effect of God’s word.
Available every day
Consideration
In both the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Mark – which begins with the baptism of Jesus by John – John the Baptist refers to those who will come after him. John and Jesus, who are described in the Bible as family members, experienced a strong kinship: They recognised each other’s teaching. Jesus therefore allows himself to be baptised by John, while John realises that Jesus can bring him and many others even closer to God. The parable between Jesus and John is extended to Jeremiah in the first reading. Thus it becomes clear that Jesus stands in the great prophetic tradition.
FIRST READING Jer. 1, 17-19
Say to the people all that I command you.
Do not let them frighten you.
From the prophet Jeremiah
In those days the word of the Lord came to me:
“Gird up your loins ;
stand up and say to the people
all that I command thee.
“Do not let them frighten you;
or else I will scare you before their eyes.
“I myself will make you
a fortified city,
a pillar of iron,
a wall of brass
over all the land,
for the kings and nobles of Judah,
the priests and the citizens of the land.
“They will fight you, but will not be able to do anything against you.
“For I am with you to save you.”
Thus speaks the Lord.
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 71(70), 1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab and 17
I will praise your righteousness.
To You, Lord, I take refuge,
never fail me.
Thou art just, save and deliver me,
hearken unto me, and come to my aid.
Be to me a place of refuge, a place of safety;
Thou hast been my rock and my fortress.
Deliver me, my God, from the hands of sinners,
the fist that clasps me cruelly.
For thou, my God, art my hope,
Thou, Lord, art my hope since my earliest childhood.
From my mother’s womb I have leaned on Thee,
Thou hast been my protector since my birth,
in Thee I have always trusted.
I will praise your righteousness,
Thy help all the day long.
From my childhood I have experienced it,
and even now I praise your deeds.
ALLELUIA Mt. 5, 10
Alleluia.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mk 6, 17-29
I want you to give me on a platter
the head of John the Baptist.
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
In those days Herod had John seized
and put in chains in prison because of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip,
for he had taken her for his wife.
For John had said to Herod :
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Therefore Herodias was bitten by him and wanted to kill him,
but she had no chance
because Herod was in awe of John.
He knew that he was a righteous and holy man
and took him into his protection.
Whenever he heard him, he was at a loss as to what to do
but still he loved to listen to him.
However, a favourable day came,
when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a meal for his dignitaries,
his chief officers and dignitaries of Galilee.
The daughter of Herodias appeared with a dance
and she pleased to Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl :
“Ask me what you want and I will give it to you.”
And he confirmed her with an oath :
“Whatever you ask me, I will give it to you
if it is half of my kingdom.”
She went out and asked her mother :
“What should I ask for?”
The latter replied :
“The head of John the Baptist.”
So she rushed in to the king
and told him of her desire:
“I want you to put me
on a platter
the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was distressed by this,
but in order to keep his oath and because of his tablemates
he did not want to reject her.
So immediately the king sent a bodyguard
and ordered him to bring John’s head.
The man went and beheaded him in prison.
He brought the head on a platter and gave it to the girl ;
the girl gave it to her mother again.
When his disciples heard about it
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
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Laudato Si
Encyclic of
POPE FRANCIS
On Care of the Common Home
29. One particularly serious problem is the quality of water available to the poor. Every day, unsafe water results in many deaths and the spread of water-related diseases, including those caused by microorganisms and chemical substances. Dysentery and cholera, linked to inadequate hygiene and water supplies, are a significant cause of suffering and of infant mortality. Underground water sources in many places are threatened by the pollution produced in certain mining, farming and industrial activities, especially in countries lacking adequate regulation or controls. It is not only a question of industrial waste. Detergents and chemical products, commonly used in many places of the world, continue to pour into our rivers, lakes and seas.
To be continued
The Bible text in this edition is taken from The New Translation of the Bible,
©Netherlands Bible Society 2004/2007.
Recitals from Liturgical suggestions for the week and Sundays
Laudato Si Official English translation
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