The WORD today reminds me that I should stay firm as I serve God.
Today,
we commemorate the Passion of St John the Baptist. Jesus himself told his
disciples that they should expect suffering just as He, their master, suffered
on earth for doing God’s work. John the Baptist experienced this, and faced
this head on. He did not shy away from doing God’s work, even if he knew he
offended powerful people in the course of doing it. He continued to do God’s
work, despite the opposition and challenges he faced. He stayed firm in his
faith.
Only
a strong faith will enable us to stay firm in times if great challenges.
John
had this, and we should aspire to have it too. He worked for God despite these
challenges against him. He lived the first reading - setting a good example to
others and working (for God), and in the process doing his best to earn the
eternal great reward of life in eternity with God.
In
one way or another, we all suffer. We all experience problems and challenges.
But we are also reminded that it is better to suffer for doing good, than
suffer as a consequence of your actions and decisions. Doing God’s work, like
St John the Baptist, caused him to suffer in the hands of powerful people at
that time. We too can experience this in the form of oppression from others,
mockery, among other things. These are sufferings, but because of doing good,
and are temporary. St John the Baptist’s suffering was the end of his hardships
here on earth and the beginning of his life eternal with God in heaven.
However, some can also suffer for doing bad. A drug addict can suffer from
addiction, torn family, financial problems, etc. these are also sufferings, but
not caused by doing God’s work, but by our own decisions.
How
do I look at sufferings and problems? Do I live right, or are my sufferings the
result of my wrong decisions and lifestyle? Do I offer my sufferings to God,
and keep my faith, continue doing good despite of these? How can I strengthen
my faith in Him?
May
we be inspired by St John the Baptist’s focus on God, courage and strength as
he experienced suffering in doing God’s work.
Father
God,
Thank
you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you for the inspiration. Lord, I am sorry for the many times I don't act
like John the Baptist. Sorry for being scared and not staying firm when faced
with powerful oppositions. And sorry for making bad decisions that cause my
sufferings and hardships. Lord, I ask that you help me be like St John the
Baptist. May I always find courage from and strength in you, especially as I
experience challenges and suffering in doing your work. Help me be brave and
strong in doing your work. Make me a firm soldier. Use me for your kingdom
wherever I may be. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
August 29 2019
Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Lectionary: 428/634
Lectionary: 428/634
Reading
1 1 THES 3:7-13
We
have been reassured about you, brothers and sisters,
in our every distress and affliction, through your faith.
For we now live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
What thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you,
for all the joy we feel on your account before our God?
Night and day we pray beyond measure to see you in person
and to remedy the deficiencies of your faith.
Now may God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus
direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase
and abound in love for one another and for all,
just as we have for you,
so as to strengthen your hearts,
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.
in our every distress and affliction, through your faith.
For we now live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
What thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you,
for all the joy we feel on your account before our God?
Night and day we pray beyond measure to see you in person
and to remedy the deficiencies of your faith.
Now may God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus
direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase
and abound in love for one another and for all,
just as we have for you,
so as to strengthen your hearts,
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.
Responsorial
Psalm PS
90:3-5A, 12-13, 14 AND 17
R.
(14) Fill us with your love, O Lord,
and we will sing for joy!
You turn man back to dust,
saying, "Return, O children of men."
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
You turn man back to dust,
saying, "Return, O children of men."
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Alleluia 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.
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 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 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.
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 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 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.
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