Sunday, August 30, 2009

Memorial of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist


Memorial of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist

Additional Information for the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

Readings for the Memorial of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist*[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Readings and Commentary:
[3]

Reading 1:
1 Thessalonians 4:9-11

Brothers and sisters:
On the subject of fraternal charity
you have no need for anyone to write you,
for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
Indeed, you do this for all the brothers throughout Macedonia.
Nevertheless we urge you, brothers and sisters, to progress even more,
and to aspire to live a tranquil life,
to mind your own affairs,
and to work with your own hands,
as we instructed you.
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Commentary on
1 Thes 4:9-11

St. Paul is apparently satisfied with the level of charity shown between the members of the faith community at Thessalonica. He does relate that charity to an expression of love for one another and encourages all to work for the well being of the community regardless of their station. There was a tendency among some to take advantage of Christian charity and live off the generosity of other. The Apostle calls them back and tells them they must “work with your own hands” (see also
1 Thessalonians 5:12-14).

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Responsorial Psalm:
Psalm 98:1, 7-8, 9

R. (9) The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth;
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
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Commentary on
Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9

Psalm 98 is a song of thanksgiving. This selection gives thanks for God’s creation and reminds the community that all things are subject to Him and all the world rejoices under his rule.

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Gospel:
Mark 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.
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Commentary on Mk 6:17-29

The story of St. John the Baptist life from St. Mark’s Gospel gives a concise picture of St. John’s end. Especially here we note the similarities between the passing of St. John and the passion of Jesus in
Mark 15:1-47 . The rationale in both cases was the anger and guilt felt at the truth proclaimed; in the case of John the guilt of Herodias, in the case of Jesus, the Jewish leaders.

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Reflection:

What a crushing blow the death of St. John the Baptist was to Jesus as well as his own disciples. The Voice as he is frequently called, having completed all that God had asked from him preceded Jesus in death as he had preceded him in all things except holiness.

The Baptist came into the world, a promise from God, predicted by the prophets – the voice crying out in the wilderness; calling God’s creation to prepare for the coming of his great gift, the Messiah. He cried out as did the prophets out of whose mold he was created, fearlessly and unceasingly decrying the sinful nature of humankind. Also like the prophets he pointed at the sins of the powerful and for speaking the truth, he gained the hatred of Herodias who ultimately found a means to engineer his execution.

How cruel that blow was to Jesus. We are told in St. Matthew’s Gospel * When Jesus heard of it, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.” (Matthew 14:13). He testified on several occasions what a great man he was and we know of his familial relationship. Yet St. John himself recognized his role in God’s great plan and in his famous profession (
John 3 25-36) said “The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”

St. John’s martyrdom reminds us of his great love for God and for our Lord, Jesus. His steadfast faith, fearlessly crying out to those on a path to death calls to us as well. He reminds us that social justice is not God’s justice and social morals are not our morals. What is acceptable under secular law is not necessarily acceptable under the higher calling to which we are called. With all of the voices of the saints whispering in our ears, St. John the Baptist, the Voice, calls loudest; “‘prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”(Luke 3:4)

Pax


* On the Memorial of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist the Gospel from the Proper of the day (#634) is used. The first reading and Psalm Response are taken from the Ordinary for the day #430.
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture is The Beheading of John the Baptist by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 1610
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

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