Gird Your Loins

Aug 29: Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Usually, we celebrate the memorial of a saint’s passing on, you know, the day they died. But John the Baptist is ever the weirdo, even in death.

He was executed around Passover, the year before Jesus. But his head was lost for some time, until it was finally re-discovered in Syria many centuries later. So, we’re not so much commemorating his beheading as his re-heading.

Reading 1

Jeremiah 1:17-19

The word of the LORD came to me thus: Gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them; For it is I this day who have made you a fortified city, A pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land: Against Judah's kings and princes, against its priests and people. They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.

It’s time to gird your loins! But what does that mean (other than literally tie your tunic/dress around your waist)?¹ Get ready, because a fight is about to happen.

But don’t worry, even if things look really, really bad (see today’s Gospel), God will still be with us, always.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab and 17

R.    (see 15ab)  I will sing your salvation.
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me, and save me.
R.    I will sing your salvation.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R.    I will sing your salvation.
For you are my hope, O LORD;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother's womb you are my strength.
R.    I will sing your salvation.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R.    I will sing your salvation.

In full context, this is a Psalm about an old man who’s afflictions are mistaken for divine punishment. This psalmist wants to make it clear that he knows and trusts God is at his side, even when things look bleak.

Alleluia

Mt 5:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You won’t always be rewarded for doing the right thing; in fact, sometimes you’ll be rewarded for doing the wrong thing, as Herod found out. But that reward is temporal; we must keep our eyes on the kingdom of heaven.

Gospel

Mk 6:17-29

Herod was the one who had John the Baptist 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' 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.

Herod isn’t concerned with honor; he’s worried about the high esteem of others. It’s easy, and very human, to confuse those two.

We should instead be concerned with what God wants us to do. It’s not a 100% perfect rubric, but if the world is against you for doing something, it’s probably because it’s the right thing and they don’t want to hear it. Then you’re “persecuted for the sake of righteousness.”

1. For men:

For women: