John the Baptist was beheaded at the request of the daughter
of Herodias, he was beheaded at Herod’s command.

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 excepted,
can experience that joy by opening their hearts
to the healing power of God’s word.

Available every day

Consideration
In both Luke’s Infancy Gospel and Mark’s Gospel – which begins with John baptising Jesus – John the Baptist refers to those who come after him. John and Jesus, described in the Bible as family members, experience a strong kinship: They recognise themselves in each other’s teachings. 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 further extended to Jeremiah, in the first reading. Thus, it becomes clear that Jesus is in the great prophetic tradition.

FIRST READING         Jer. 1, 17-19

Say to the people all that I command you.
Do not be put off by them.

From the Prophet Jeremiah

In those days the word of the Lord came to me :
“Gird up your loins ;
arise and say to the people
all that I command you.
“Do not be put off by them;
or else I will scare you before their eyes.
“I Myself am making you this day
a fortified city,
a pillar of iron,
a copper wall
facing the whole land,
before the kings and nobles of Judah,
the priests and citizens of the land.
“They shall fight you, but shall have no power 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, do I take refuge,
yet never disappoint me.
Thou art just, save and deliver me,
listen and come to my aid.

Be to me a refuge, a safe place ;
my rock and my fortress thou hast always been.
Deliver me, my God, from the hands of sinners,
the fist that cruelly clasps me.

For Thou, my God, Thou art my expectation,
my hope be Thou, Lord, since my earliest youth.
From the mother’s womb I have leaned on Thee,
Thou art my protector since my birth,
on Thee have I always trusted.

I will praise Thy justice,
your assistance all day long.
From childhood I have experienced it,
and even now I praise Your deeds.

ALLELUIA           Mt 5, 10

Alleluia.
Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for to them belongs the kingdom of heaven.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL           Mk. 6, 17-29

I want you to give me standing on a platter
the head of John the Baptist.

From the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark

At that time Herod had John seized
and put in chains in prison for the sake of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip,
for he had taken her to wife.
After all, John had said to Herod :
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias was therefore bent on him and wanted to kill him,
but she had no chance
for Herod was in awe of John.
He knew he was a righteous and holy man
and took him into his protection.
Whenever he had heard him he was conflicted
but still he gladly listened to him.
An auspicious day came, however,
when Herod, on his birthday
set up a meal for his dignitaries,
his chief officers and leading figures of Galilee.
The daughter of Herodias performed a dance
and she gave birth to Herod and his tablemates.
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
even 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.”
She rushed inside to the king
and told him her desire :
“I want
that you put me on standing
on a platter
the head of John the Baptist.”
This made the king suffer,
but to keep his oath and also because of his tablemates
he did not want to reject her.
Immediately, therefore, the king sent a bodyguard
and ordered him to bring the head of John.
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 again to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it
they came and took his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
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