The Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Official Translation

Jeremiah 1:17-19

The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
“You, gird your loins, arise,
and say to them all that I command you.
Be not dismayed because of them,
as though I would leave you dismayed before them.
For, behold, I have made you today a fortified city,
an iron pillar, and bronze walls,
against the whole land,
against the kings of Judah,
against its princes, against its priests,
and against the people of the land.
They will fight against you,
but they will not prevail against you;
for I am with you”, says the Lord, “to rescue you.”

Responsorial – Psalm 71.1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab+17 Resp. 15ab

R. My mouth will tell of your salvation.

In you, Lord, I take refuge.
Never let me be disappointed.
Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me.
Turn your ear to me, and save me.

R. My mouth will tell of your salvation.

Be to me a rock of refuge,
a safe stronghold.
You are my rock and my fortress.
Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,

R. My mouth will tell of your salvation.

For you are my hope, O Lord;
my confidence from my youth.
I have relied on you from the womb.
You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb.

R. My mouth will tell of your salvation.

My mouth will tell about your righteousness,
and of your salvation all day,
God, you have taught me from my youth.
Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.

R. My mouth will tell of your salvation.

Gospel – Mark 6.17-29

For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John,
and bound him in prison
for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
for he had married her.
For John said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias set herself against him,
and desired to kill him, but she could not,
for Herod feared John,
knowing that he was a righteous and holy man,
and kept him safe.
When he heard him, he was confused but he heard him gladly.
Then a day of opportunity came,
when Herod on his birthday made a feast for his nobles,
the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
When Herod’s own daughter came in and danced,
she pleased Herod and those sitting with him.
The king said to the young lady,
“Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”
He swore to her, “Whatever you shall ask of me,
I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
She went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”
She said, “The head of John the Baptist.”
She came in immediately with haste to the king,
and asked, “I want you to give me right now
the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

The king was exceedingly sorry,
but for the sake of his oaths, and of his dinner guests,
he did not wish to refuse her.
Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard,
and commanded him to bring John’s head,
and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
and brought his head on a platter,
and gave it to the young lady;
and the young lady gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard this,
they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

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