Daily Bread: The Martyrdom of John the Baptist

Antiphon

“The Lord is my strength and my song.” ~ Psalm 118

The Martyrdom of John the Baptist

17 Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.18 John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 Herodias  harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.20 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.

21 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. 22 Herodias’s 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.” 23 He even swore [many things] to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 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.” 26 The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. 27 So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. 28 He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

The gospel reading today gives me a bigger picture of how it is to follow Christ. Things may not be easy. I may need to sacrifice for His greater glory. I may be hated for telling the TRUTH. I may be persecuted for following Him...

However, I believe that the Lord is faithful. He is just. He will never leave me. And that everything He allows to happen has a reason.

Good Lord, 

What You will let it be so.

Where You will there I will go.

What is Your will help me to know.

Because You will it, it is best.

Because You will it, I am blessed. 

Till in Your hands my heart finds rest.

Amen.