Mark 6,17-29

August 29, 2023 (Tuesday)
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.

Gospel: Mark 6,17-29
Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias’s own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore (many things) to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist. “The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So, he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Reflection:
Many times, we get lured by the passing shimmer of earthly power and stature that we fall into moral pride- a willful disregard for what our conscience gently whispers to us. Instead of moving towards propriety, we fail to humbly acknowledge we have been wrong or excessive in our decisions or actions. Instead, we resort and cling onto social pride, disregarding criticisms out of fear that others would think less of us if we humble ourselves, accept our faults, and reform our ways. Pride, both moral and social, inevitably dulls our sense of right and wrong, and disables us from acting with due prudence and charity. Like Herod in the gospel story today, when have we last forgotten to pause and distance ourselves from our ego, and allow God and others to restore us back to the beckoning of our divine moral compass, so that we do not cause or allow anymore the unjust beheading of modern ‘John the Baptist’s’ in our midst? (Van Jerwin P. Mercado)

Lasallian Guiding Principle:
LGP states that, the spirit of faith is a “spirit that allows one to unite one’s actions to the ongoing saving action of God in the world.” Viewing leadership through the gospel’s lens, we assess whether our leadership roles are characterized by humility, empathy, and service. This reflection helps us discern whether we are leading in a manner that reflects the teachings of the gospel. (My Catholic Life)

Prayer:
Synod on Synodality Prayer

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, Make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.

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.

Sources:
C. (n.d.). Daily Gospel. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/DLSU ITS, DLSU STRATCOM, DLSU IRPA. (n.d.). Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.
Retrieved June 22, 2020, from http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/lasallian-guiding-principles/default.asp

Prepared by Pratik, Sati D., College of Humanities and Sciences- BS Biochemistry Student, through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages and Advancement, Campus Ministry, and Chaplaincy

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

https://www.dlshsi.edu.ph/daily-lasallian-reflection-prayer #300LaSalle