Happy those who are persecuted
in the cause of right,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. MT 5:10
JEREMIAH 1:17-19
My Soul's Beloved,
When we do Your will, we ought not be deterred by anything, not fear, or doubt. We are to face them and any other challenges with confidence and faith, certain that You will help us accomplish what You ask of us by Your grace and will.
Fear is a terrible thing; it paralyzes us and renders us incapable of doing what we ought. We get bogged down by excuses and second-guessing, and nothing is ever accomplished. Lord, if You command us to do something, we are to do it regardless of our fears and doubts; it is only when we take the first step that You will provide all we need to do all You ask of us.
Every baptized Catholic must take our faith seriously and not just us as members of Your Body, Lord, but the whole Church. When we do, You will make of us just what You say to the prophet Jeremiah:
‘I, for my part, today will make you
into a fortified city,
a pillar of iron,
and a wall of bronze
to confront all this land:
the kings of Judah, its princes,
its priests and the country people.
They will fight against you
but shall not overcome you,
for I am with you to deliver you –
it is the Lord who speaks.’
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God and my Savior, Redeemer, and Bridegroom of my soul, grant me this grace, O Lord, not to allow cowardice or fear to steal from me the privilege You accord me to actively participate in the glorious mission of establishing Your Kingdom on earth exactly where I am. Thank You, Lord.
In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, free me:
pay heed to me and save me.
Be a rock where I can take refuge,
a mighty stronghold to save me;
for you are my rock, my stronghold.
Free me from the hand of the wicked.
It is you, O Lord, who are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, since my youth.
On you I have leaned from my birth,
from my mother’s womb you have been my help.
My lips will tell of your justice
and day by day of your help.
O God, you have taught me from my youth
and I proclaim your wonders still.
into a fortified city,
a pillar of iron,
and a wall of bronze
to confront all this land:
the kings of Judah, its princes,
its priests and the country people.
They will fight against you
but shall not overcome you,
for I am with you to deliver you –
it is the Lord who speaks.’
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God and my Savior, Redeemer, and Bridegroom of my soul, grant me this grace, O Lord, not to allow cowardice or fear to steal from me the privilege You accord me to actively participate in the glorious mission of establishing Your Kingdom on earth exactly where I am. Thank You, Lord.
The word of the Lord was addressed to me, saying:
‘Brace yourself for action.
Stand up and tell them
all I command you.
Do not be dismayed at their presence,
or in their presence I will make you dismayed.
‘I, for my part, today will make you
into a fortified city,
a pillar of iron,
and a wall of bronze
to confront all this land:
the kings of Judah, its princes,
its priests and the country people.
They will fight against you
but shall not overcome you,
for I am with you to deliver you –
it is the Lord who speaks.’
PSALM 70(71):1-6,15,17
My lips will tell of your help.
‘Brace yourself for action.
Stand up and tell them
all I command you.
Do not be dismayed at their presence,
or in their presence I will make you dismayed.
‘I, for my part, today will make you
into a fortified city,
a pillar of iron,
and a wall of bronze
to confront all this land:
the kings of Judah, its princes,
its priests and the country people.
They will fight against you
but shall not overcome you,
for I am with you to deliver you –
it is the Lord who speaks.’
PSALM 70(71):1-6,15,17
My lips will tell of your help.
In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, free me:
pay heed to me and save me.
Be a rock where I can take refuge,
a mighty stronghold to save me;
for you are my rock, my stronghold.
Free me from the hand of the wicked.
It is you, O Lord, who are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, since my youth.
On you I have leaned from my birth,
from my mother’s womb you have been my help.
My lips will tell of your justice
and day by day of your help.
O God, you have taught me from my youth
and I proclaim your wonders still.
My lips will tell of your help.
MARK 6:17-29
My Soul's Beloved,
My Soul's Beloved,
You are Truth, for this is how You identified Yourself when You said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Truth—the unvarnished truth that reveals our weaknesses, faults, frailties, concupiscence, and cowardice—is unpalatable. Often, instead of taking to heart the truths shown to us and correcting ourselves, we justify our bad behavior, deflect, become defensive and combative, grow angry at the one who has our best interests at heart, and rail against them. This was true of Herodias. She hated John the Baptist because all he said was true; being a wicked woman filled with malice, she sought to destroy him and succeeded.
Evil women without a moral compass are the bane of weak men ruled by their passions. Herod was a weak man. He knew John the Baptist spoke the truth when he called him out not only for breaking the Commandments of God but also because, as ruler of his people, his personal life caused scandal and troubled his conscience.
He had John arrested, but that was not enough for Herodias. Filled with murderous hatred, she would find no rest until she did away with him altogether, so she plotted carefully. She had no compunction about using her daughter in the most repugnant way to seduce Herod into damning his immortal soul, avenging herself against the Baptizer’s public and vociferous denunciation of Herod for marrying his brother’s wife.
Mothers have a sacred duty to raise God-fearing sons and daughters. When we disregard this duty or take it lightly, we will be judged without mercy. That her daughter had no scruples in asking for John the Baptist’s head on a platter at her mother’s behest reveals that she too was morally bankrupt.
All too often we are no better. We make excuses for our bad behavior, use euphemisms to cover our weaknesses, and talk ourselves into believing that whatever sinful activity we are engaged in is acceptable. Lord Jesus, You call us to be saints. While this is not easy, You assure us that You will provide all the grace necessary to walk the narrow way that leads to life.
Help me, Lord, not just today but every moment of every day for as long as I live. Thank You.
Herod sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him; but she was not able to, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.
An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.’ And he swore her an oath, ‘I will give you anything you ask, even half 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 straight back to the king and made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head, here and now, on a dish.’ The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head. The man went off and beheaded him 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 about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
