August 29: MARTYRDOM OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST. MASS PRAYERS AND READINGS.

St. John’s fearless condemnation of Herod’s unlawful marriage incurred the hatred of the king’s bride, Herodias. She had him imprisoned and finally killed. St. John the Baptist teaches us to be strong in carrying out the mission God has given us.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Loquébar, Dómine, de testimóniis tuis in conspéctu regum, et non confundébar, et meditábar in mandátis tuis, quæ diléxi nimis. 
I spoke, O Lord, of your decrees before kings, and was not confounded; I pondered your commands and loved them greatly. 

COLLECT
O God, who willed that Saint John the Baptist should go ahead of your Son both in birth and in death, grant that as he died a Martyr for truth and justice, we, too, may fight hard for the confession of what you teach. Through our Lord. 

PROPER READINGS

READING I 
Jer 1:17–19 
But do you 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.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 
R. My lips will tell of your justice, O Lord.
Os meum annuntiábit iustitiam tuam, Dómine.
In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, free me:
pay heed to me and save me.
R.
Be a rock where I can take refuge,
a mighty stronghold to save me;
for you are my rock, my stronghold.
Free me fom the hand of the wicked.
R.
It is you, O Lord, who are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, since my youth.
On you I have leaned from my birth,
from my mother’s womb you have been my help.
R.
My lips will tell of your justice
and day by day of your help.
O, God, youhave taught me from my youth
and I proclaim your wonders still.
R.

ALLELUIA
Beáti qui persecutiónem patiúntur propter iustítiam, quóniam ipsórum est regnum cælórum. 
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is 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.

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[Universal Prayer]
[–»  Offertory]

PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
Through these offerings which we bring you, O Lord, grant that we may make straight your paths, as taught by the voice crying in the desert of Saint John the Baptist, who powerfully sealed his teaching by the shedding of his blood. Through Christ our Lord. 
[–» Eucharistic Prayer]

Preface of John the Baptist

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord.

In his Precursor, Saint John the Baptist, we praise your great glory, for you consecrated him for a singular honor among those born of women. His birth brought great rejoicing; even in the womb he leapt for joy at the coming of human salvation. He alone of all the prophets pointed out the Lamb of redemption. And to make holy the flowing waters he baptized the very author of Baptism and was privileged to bear him supreme witness by the shedding of his blood. And so, with the Powers of heaven, we worship you constantly on earth, and before your majesty without end we acclaim:
[–» Holy, holy, holy…]

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Respóndit Ioánnes: Illum opórtet créscere, me autem mínui. 
John answered and said, He must increase; but I must decrease.

[–» Communion]

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Grant, O Lord, as we celebrate the heavenly birth of Saint John the Baptist, that we may revere, for what it signifies, the saving Sacrament we have received and, even more, may rejoice at its clear effects in us. Through Christ our Lord.
[–» Concluding Rite]

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Thanks and God bless you and your loved ones! Fr. Rolly Arjonillo.