DAILY READING AND INSPIRATION

MEMORIAL OF THE PASSION OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
29 AUGUST 2017

COLOUR: RED

ROSARY: SORROWFUL

FIRST READING
 1 Thes 2:1-8

You yourselves know, brothers and sisters,
that our reception among you was not without effect.


Rather, after we had suffered and been insolently treated,
as you know, in Philippi,
we drew courage through our God
to speak to you the Gospel of God with much struggle.

Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives,
nor did it work through deception.

But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the Gospel,
that is how we speak,
not as trying to please men,
but rather God, who judges our hearts.

Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know,
or with a pretext for greed–God is witness–
nor did we seek praise from men,
either from you or from others,
although we were able to impose our weight as Apostles of Christ.

Rather, we were gentle among you,
as a nursing mother cares for her children.

With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you
not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well,
so dearly beloved had you become to us.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 139:1-3, 4-6

R/ YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME AND YOU KNOW ME, LORD.

O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.

My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.

R/ YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME AND YOU KNOW ME, LORD.

Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.

Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
too lofty for me to attain.

R/ YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME AND YOU KNOW ME, LORD

ACCLAMATION

 Mt 5:10

R. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

R. Alleluia, Alleluia.

GOSPEL
 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?"

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.

REFLECTION

WHOSE COUNSEL DO YOU SEEK?

Brethren, the gospel narrative is a familiar one. But that doesn't deny it its importance in our lives as Christians. Thus, we will reflect on the theme of counselling.

Our call to Christianity does not free us from the troubles of life but gives us the needed stamina to overcome. When these life challenges occur, whose counsel do we seek, God's or man's? Herodias' daughter ran to her mother, probably unaware of the mother's scheme and John the Baptist was martyred.

Be careful who you talk to or who talks to you during your trying moment. Such encounter however brief can heal or hurt you. Beware! It is because of our vulnerability that God gave us the Advocate (Holy Spirit). How many times do we seek His counsel? We under utilize this gift. Too bad. Very many of us Christians wrongly seek help from fetish priests or agents of the underworld rather than God. Unlike our faithlessness, these people consult their kind  before they do or say anything. Can we learn from that? Can we decide today henceforth to seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit? You can not do it yourself that is why God has given you an Advocate and Counsellor. Avail yourself of this opportunity and be saved. Peace be with you!

PRAYER

Eternal Father, we thank You for the gift of an Advocate. Grant us the grace to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit always. We ask this through the intercession of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Amen.
HAPPY TUESDAY.