The Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Memorial
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
As a witness to integrity and the honest truth, John the Baptist lost his life to cunning and violence. But he had to speak, whatever the consequences. God’s word cannot be muzzled. Does the Church – do we – have this courage today?
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
St. John the Baptist
prepared and went the way of your Son
both in his birth and in his death.
He died a martyr’s death
because he stood up for integrity and truth.
Give us the courage, we pray you,
to speak out when needed
in the name of the gospel
and to bear witness in word and action
to Christ Jesus, our Lord.
First Reading
But you, get ready for action. Stand up and tell them that I command you. Do not be scared of them, or I will scare you in their presence!
See, I will make you a fortified city, a pillar of iron with walls of bronze, against all the nations, against the kings and princes of Judah, against the priests and the people of the land.
They will fight against you But shall not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue you —it is the Lord who speaks.”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab and 17
R. (see 15ab) I will sing your salvation.
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me, and save me.
R. I will sing your salvation.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R. I will sing your salvation.
For you are my hope, O LORD;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother's womb you are my strength.
R. I will sing your salvation.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. I will sing your salvation.
Alleluia Verse
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
Herod was the one who had John arrested, had him bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod had married her;
and John had told him, ‘It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.’
So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not,
because Herod respected John. He knew John to be an upright and holy man and kept him safe. And he liked listening to him, although he became very disturbed whenever he heard him.
Herodias had her chance on Herod’s birthday when he hosted a dinner for all the top government officials, military leaders, and the leaders of Galilee.
On that occasion, Herodias’s daughter entered and danced, charming Herod and his guests. The king told the girl:
“Ask me for anything you want, and I will give it to you.”
And he even said with many oaths:
“I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.”
She then went out and asked her mother:
“What should I request?”
The mother replied:
“The head of John the Baptist.”
The girl hurried back to the king and made her request, saying:
“I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist here and now, on a platter.”
The king was very displeased, but he would not refuse in front of his guests because of his oaths.
So he sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded John in prison;
then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother.
When John’s disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and buried it.
Prayers of the Faithful
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
on the feast of your martyr John the Baptist
We bring bread and wine before you
to celebrate the memory of your Son.
Give us John’s courage,
to prepare and to be
a straight road to your Son.
May the message of our Christian living
not be a voice in the wilderness
but a humble way to Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
in a world of violence
we are easily afraid of bearing witness
to the good news of your Son.
We prefer prudence to courage.
Stir us up and move us forward
in the strength of this eucharist
to speak your word of justice and truth
and to abide by it,
that we may win the whole kingdom
of Jesus Christ our Lord.