Gospel

From the Gospel according to Mark6:17-29

Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prisonon 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 himand 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 inand 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 onceon a platter the head of John the Baptist.”The king was deeply distressed,but because of his oaths and the guestshe did not wish to break his word to her.So he promptly dispatched an executioner with ordersto 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.

The Gospel of the Lord

 God’s will

Today we celebrate the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist, of whom his father Zechariah said: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” (Luke 1:76–77).

He was the first martyr to defend the truth of marriage as God intended it, speaking out before Herod about the unlawfulness of his relationship with his brother’s wife, Herodias. John gave his life to do the Will of God. And I—what am I willing to give in order to do God’s Will in my life? How far am I willing to go? One thing is clear: we are called to holiness, and the way to reach it is by living according to God’s Will.

We have been called to the vocation of marriage, and that is where we must give everything. We are not called to be holy priests, nor holy religious… but holy husbands and wives. With the help of God’s grace, and our small but sincere “yes,” we will make it!

Living it in Marriage:

Steven: Martha, we need to talk…

Martha: Oh Steve, don’t scare me—those words bring back such bad memories….

Steven: You’re right, forgive me. But maybe the Lord wanted to bring back that memory,  when we were on the verge of throwing away our marriage and our family. I remember the turning point was the retreat we attended led by project for conjugal love

Martha: Now that’s a much better memory. What an amazing retreat! What a gift your sister gave us, without even knowing how badly we were doing, when she decided to invite us as a Christmas present! . I’ll never be able to thank her enough—or Our Lady, who was the one who truly brought us there.

Steven: Well, that’s actually what I wanted to talk about. I know money is really tight with the kids’ school…

Martha: True, but it’s the best choice we could have made. Our children’s education is so important. As a friend of mine says, “if we have to eat rice every day, then we’ll eat rice.” The change we’ve seen in them at their new school is another gift from Our Lady. Just yesterday little one told me that she no longer feels like a “weirdo” for going to Mass and praying.

Steven: Well, my idea is that we should now give back the gift my sister once gave us. Do you remember Lukas, my coworker? He told  me they already have an appointment with a lawyer to get divorced. On top of that, they’re struggling financially. I was thinking… (Martha interrupts)

Martha: I think that’s a wonderful idea, and honestly, I believe it’s our duty. To give now what we once received—even if it means a real financial sacrifice. “Give until it hurts,” as Mother Teresa of Calcutta used to say. Thank you for your generosity, Steven. You help me so much to see God’s Will in our life. I love you so much—and now I’m off to prepare some rice! (laughs)

Mother,

It must have been so painful for you to learn that the son of your beloved cousin, Saint Elizabeth, had been beheaded. Surely it was another sorrow you kept deep in your heart. How much pain we cause others when we act out of selfishness. Forgive our weaknesses and help us to discern God’s Will in our lives, so that we may be salt and light for the world. Blessed be your purity, and may it be forever so!