29 AUGUST 08

THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

THE FRIDAY AFTER TRINITY XIV

29 AUGUST 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 69:1-22, 30-37; II Samuel 19:1-10; II Corinthians 8:16-end

Holy Eucharist: Jeremiah 1:17-end; St. Mark 6:17-29

Evening Prayer: Psalm 51; Ecclesiasticus 31:12-18, 25-32:2; St. Matthew 6:1-18

REFLECTION

The Evangelists Matthew (Matthew 14:1-12) and Mark (Mark 6:14-29) provide accounts about the death of John the Baptist.

Following the Baptism of the Lord, John the Baptist was locked up in prison by Herod Antipas, holding one-fourth the rule of the Holy Land as governor of Galilee. John the Baptist openly denounced Herod for having left his lawful wife -- the daughter of the Arabian king Aretas -- and then instead co-habiting with Herodias -- the wife of his brother Philip (Luke 3:19-20).

On his birthday, Herod made a feast for dignitaries, the elders and a thousand chief citizens. The daughter of Herod, Salome, danced before the guests and charmed Herod. In gratitude to the girl he swore to give her anything, whatsoever she would ask, anything up to half his kingdom. Salome--on the advice of her mother Herodias--asked, that she be given at once the head of John the Baptist on a plate. Herod became apprehensive, for he feared the wrath of God for the murder of a prophet, whom earlier he had heeded. He feared also the people, who loved John the Baptist. But because of the guests and his careless oath, he gave the order for the execution.
Salome took the plate with the head of Saint John and gave it to her mother. Herodias buried his head in a unclean place. But, by tradition, Joanna, wife of Herod's steward Chuza, took the head and buried it in an earthen vessel on the Mount of Olives, where Herod was possessor of a parcel of land. The body of John the Baptist was taken that night by his disciples and buried at Sebasteia (now, Sivas).

The traditional also states that the judgement of God came upon Herod, Herodias, and Salome. Salome, crossing the River Sikoris in winter, fell through the ice. The Arab king Aretas in revenge for the disrespect shown his daughter made war against Herod. For this defeat, the Roman emperor Caius Caligua (37-41) exiled Herod with Herodias first to Gaul, and then to Spain.

***from missionstclare.com***

THE COLLECT FOR THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

We pray thee, O Lord, that this solemn festival of John Baptist thy blessed Forerunner and Martyr : may effectually bestow upon us thy succour, to the attainment of everlasting salvation. Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

THE COLLECT FOR THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Sabina, Martyr (d. 125)

St. Sabina, a noble pagan woman, wife of Senator Valentinus, became a convert to Christianity through her maid servant, Seraphina.After having had the body of Seraphina placed in the family tomb, she was accused of being a Christian by the Prefect Elpidius. She was beheaded because she publicly embraced the new religion, corageously professing her faith in Christ. Sabina underwent martyrdom on 29 August in the year 125 A.D. during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Her relics, along with Sts. Seraphina, Alexander, Evenzius and Theodolus, are venerated under the High Altar in the roman Basilica that bears her name, Santa Sabina Martire.

THE COLLECT FOR ST. SABINA, MARTYR

O God, who among the manifold works of thine almighty power hast bestowed even upon the weakness of women strength to win the victory of martyrdom : grant, we beseech thee ; that we, who on this day recall the heavenly birth of Saint Sabina thy Martyr, may so follow in her footsteps, that we may likewise attain unto thee. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.