We probably do not dwell enough on just how Blessed and loved we are to have Christ Jesus in our lives and have likely over time taken Him for granted. We fall too quickly back into habitual sins, bad habits and routines that are far from loving. Then instead of turning back to Him swiftly, we allow guilt and shame to overpower us. We are so caught up in it, that we probably do not even realise that we go on making choices and decisions that lead us to fall into greater sins. We must put a stop to any wayward thinking that we can overcome this on our own. We need the grace and mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! We need to turn back to our loving and faithful Lord and to God our Heavenly Father whose immeasurable love for us is constant.
Let us not allow the ways and thinking of the world corrupt us such that we begin to objectify one another! Let us always remember that we are all God our Heavenly Father’s children created in His likeness and image. And let us heed His command to love one another as He loves us. Let us be hospitable and loving as Father Abraham was with the strangers who turned out to be angels, for even if our guests are not angels, they are still His children and thereby our fellow sisters and brothers.
Let us this day lift up our prayers for marriages and family life which are under attack. And for our spiritual leaders to remain steadfast as they lead us through this trying times. Lord Jesus be with us, now and forever. Amen
First reading
Hebrews 13:1-8 ·
Jesus Christ is the same today as he was yesterday and will be for ever
Continue to love each other like brothers, and remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Keep in mind those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; and those who are being badly treated, since you too are in the one body. Marriage is to be honoured by all, and marriages are to be kept undefiled, because fornicators and adulterers will come under God’s judgement. Put greed out of your lives and be content with whatever you have; God himself has said: I will not fail you or desert you, and so we can say with confidence: With the Lord to help me, I fear nothing: what can man do to me?
Remember your leaders, who preached the word of God to you, and as you reflect on the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same today as he was yesterday and as he will be for ever.
Gospel
Mark 6:14-29
The beheading of John the Baptist
King Herod had heard about Jesus, since by now his name was well known. Some were saying, ‘John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Others said, ‘He is Elijah’; others again, ‘He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have.’ But when Herod heard this he said, ‘It is John whose head I cut off; he has risen from the dead.’
Now it was this same Herod who had 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.
CatholicJules.net 