The Feast of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist | Monday 29 August 2022

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Today is Monday the 29th August, the feast of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist.

Maximilian sings, ‘Jordan’s Waters’. As you listen on this feast day, imagine yourself by the waters of the river Jordan now…

You laid aside Your glory on the banks of the Jordan

And all for me You went down to the depths

You traded Heaven's borders for the chill of murky waters

And took the place of one condemned to death

That day John preached for man to draw near

But God it's You that came down here

Making shorter Man's road to You

In Jordan's waters I'm being made new

As You plunged into the deep in search of muddy pearls

Son of Man, You left behind Your robe

There You found me in the dark and as You rose out of the mire

This prodigal came up dressed in gold

When You rose out of that pale grave into a hot Judean sun

With a violence the heavens did divide

Father You came running, and You wrapped me in Your voice

Shouting "this son of mine was dead but now's alive!"

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 6:17-29

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

In our prayer today, we remember the martyrdom of St John the Baptist.

We recall John, the cousin of Jesus, living in the desert, wild and fearless as he freely proclaimed the news of the coming Messiah. He cried out his message of repentance and baptised in the Jordan River. Take a moment to imagine his voice crying out in the wilderness. What does it sound like?

In contrast to this freedom, we hear the account of John being arrested, bound, and imprisoned. Can you empathize with this journey of freedom to captivity or perhaps of a powerful voice being silenced?

As you listen to the reading again, pay attention to any feelings which arise for you.

If you were to meet John by the Jordan River today, what word or gift might John offer you for your journey? Take a moment to bring this into prayer as we close today. You might like to also carry it into the day or night ahead…

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.