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| "The Head of Saint John the Baptist on a Charger" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: 1
Thessalonians 3: 7 - 13
7
Therefore we were comforted, brethren, in you, in all our necessity
and tribulation, by your faith,
8
Because now we live, if you stand in the Lord.
9
For what thanks can we return to God for you, in all the joy
wherewith we rejoice for you before our God,
10
Night and day more abundantly praying that we may see your face, and
may accomplish those things that are wanting to your faith?
11
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our
way unto you.
12
And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in charity towards
one another, and towards all men: as we do also towards you,
13
To confirm your hearts without blame, in holiness, before God and our
Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints.
Amen.
PSALM:
Psalms 90:
3 - 5, 12 - 14, 17
3
Thou turnest man back to the dust, and sayest, "Turn back, O
children of men!"
4
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is
past, or as a watch in the night.
5
Thou dost sweep men away; they are like a dream, like grass which is
renewed in the morning:
12
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
13
Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on thy servants!
14
Satisfy us in the morning with thy steadfast love, that we may
rejoice and be glad all our days
17
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the
work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands establish thou
it.
GOSPEL:
Mark 6:
17 - 29
17
For Herod himself had sent and apprehended John, and bound him in
prison for the sake of Herodias the wife of Philip his brother,
because he had married her.
18
For John said to Herod: It is not lawful for thee to have thy
brother's wife.
19
Now Herodias laid snares for him: and was desirous to put him to
death, and could not.
20
For Herod feared John, knowing him to be a just and holy man: and
kept him, and when he heard him, did many things: and he heard him
willingly.
21
And when a convenient day was come, Herod made a supper for his
birthday, for the princes, and tribunes, and chief men of Galilee.
22
And when the daughter of the same Herodias had come in, and had
danced, and pleased Herod, and them that were at table with him, the
king said to the damsel: Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it
thee.
23
And he swore to her: Whatsoever thou shalt ask I will give thee,
though it be the half of my kingdom.
24
Who when she was gone out, said to her mother, What shall I ask? But
she said: The head of John the Baptist.
25
And when she was come in immediately with haste to the king, she
asked, saying: I will that forthwith thou give me in a dish, the head
of John the Baptist.
26
And the king was struck sad. Yet because of his oath, and because of
them that were with him at table, he would not displease her:
27
But sending an executioner, he commanded that his head should be
brought in a dish.
28
And he beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a dish:
and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother.
29
Which his disciples hearing came, and took his body, and laid it in a
tomb.
