Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist
God our Father, You called John the Baptist to be the Herald of Your son’s birth and death. As he gave his life in witness to and justice, so may we strive to profess our faith in Your Gospel. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Daily Thought from the Saints
"He who wishes for anything but Christ, does not know what he wishes; he who asks for anything but Christ, does not know what he is asking; he who Works, and not for Christ, does not know what he is doing.”
— St. Philip Neri
Daily Scripture Verse
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2
Daily Meditation
"Think, dear friends, how the Lord continually proves to us that there will be a resurrection to come, of which he made the Lord Jesus Christ, to be the firstfruits by raising him from the dead. Contemplate the resurrection that is always going on. Day and night he declare the resurrection to us. The night sinks to sleep, and the Day rises; the Day departs, and the night comes on. Look at the crops, how the GRAIN is sown; the sower goes out and throws it on the ground, and the scattered seed, dry and bare when it fell on the ground, is gradually dissolved. Then out of its disintegration, the mighty power of the Lord’s Providence raises it up again, and from one seed come many bearing fruit.”
— St. Clement
Day By Day With Mary
since on Calvary all men were entrusted to Mary’s motherly care, she does not less cherish and love those who are ignorant of the fact that they are redeemed by Jesus Christ, than she does those who happily enjoy the benefits of that redemption.
— Pope Pius XI
A Prayer from Notre Dame University
Rev. James Bracke, C.S.C.
Lord, the beheading of John the Baptist reflects how fear and truth-telling can lead to death and violence. May we have the courage to stand in your truth and speak life, love, and compassion. From the moment of conception until our last breath, life, as your gift, stands true. Touch those today with anger, revenge, or hatred for another person or a group. Let love and life win over fear, violence, and death. Open our eyes, ears, and hearts to see your Son and our brother Jesus in all, now and forever. Amen.