Saint Matthew 14,1-12

Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saint Matthew 14,1-12
Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Now Herod had arrested John, bound (him), and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.
His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

Reflection
We have read and heard the sad but glorious fate of John the Baptist, this is the immense price of proclaiming the truth. What he has experienced before is still the same today. Though they may not be as they were but in another form as they are such as social injustice, racism, indifference, violent decisions, human apathy etc. As Lasallians, let us continue to be the voice of the voiceless and stand for what is right in preserving life. The example of John the Baptist leaves no middle ground for his followers, either they are for him or against him… his demand is obvious and without compromise. Hence, we must make the right choice and let us ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit to fill our heart and mind with love and truth of God. As we continue to reflect the message of the gospel, let us ask ourselves, Where am I right now? Which side of the ground am I standing in?

Lasallian Guiding Principle
As we reflect on the Lasallian values on nurturing life, we are reminded of these words, solidarity and collaboration. In our LGP, these two words come from sharing in one vision, one spirit and one mission. As member of the Lasallian family, we are called to work in harmony with others and a common vision to be brothers and sisters to all especially those who are in need, victims of impoverishment, born of injustice, physical and social evils, personal insufficiency and a rightful stewards of God’s rich resources. Let us altogether, deviate from apathy to empathy, from violence to peace, and from hatred to love. This is the mission of our founder and the life-sacrificed of John the Baptist.

Prayer
ONE COMMITMENT PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
You love us all and make us your brothers and sisters.
You call us to follow you.
You invite us to announce the Good News.
Lord, grant us the courage to live our commitment.
Teach us to go beyond our borders.
Teach us to discover you in the lowliest
Teach us to see with the eyes of faith
Teach us to share our mission with all Lasallians
Throughout the whole world.
We make this prayer through the intercession of Mary,
Queen and Mother of the Christian Schools,
And through the intercession of St. John Baptist de la Salle, patron of teachers. Amen.
Our Lady of the Star, pray for us.
St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.
St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Value; Reverence for Life (nurturing Life)
Culture Theme: We care for the environment
Productivity Theme: Material Order
Institutional Common Virtues (ICV)
Week 1 : We are good stewards of this institution resources.
Sources:
Daily Gospel. August 3, 2019, from https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/
Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family

Prepared: VLADIMHER F. GORDE
through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages, Lasallian Formation and Social Action

Our Daily Lasallian Reflection and Prayer is DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the  2019 Celebration of the Year of Vocation and Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.