I will sing your salvation. — Psalm 71:(see 15)

Mass Readings: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10,16-18 / Mark 6:17-29 

Courage and Repentance 

Today’s Gospel recounts the passion of John the Baptist who died approximately A.D. 30. John was the cousin of Jesus, the son of St. Elizabeth, the nephew of Our Lady. King Herod imprisoned John but was afraid to kill him both because he liked to hear John’s words (though these words were not taken to heart) and because Herod knew that John was holy. 

John the Baptist had great courage to speak the truth and to call others to a change of heart, to embrace the ways of God. He led by example, fasting in the desert and preparing the way for Jesus. He had such great courage that he even spoke out about the immoral activities of King Herod, which led eventually to his death. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, give me the courage to repent.