Short Meditation For The Feast Day Of The Beheading Of John The Baptist

CRANACH, Lucas the Elder 

Beheading of John the Baptist 

c. 1513

GOSPEL MARK 6:17-29

For Herod himself had sent and apprehended John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias the wife of Philip his brother, because he had married her. For John said to Herod: It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother' s wife. Now Herodias laid snares for him: and was desirous to put him to death, and could not. For Herod feared John, knowing him to be a just and holy man: and kept him, and when he heard him, did many things: and he heard him willingly.And when a convenient day was come, Herod made a supper for his birthday, for the princes, and tribunes, and chief men of Galilee. And when the daughter of the same Herodias had come in, and had danced, and pleased Herod, and them that were at table with him, the king said to the damsel: Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he swore to her: Whatsoever thou shalt ask I will give thee, though it be the half of my kingdom. Who when she was gone out, said to her mother, What shall I ask? But she said: The head of John the Baptist. And when she was come in immediately with haste to the king, she asked, saying: I will that forthwith thou give me in a dish, the head of John the Baptist. And the king was struck sad. Yet because of his oath, and because of them that were with him at table, he would not displease her: But sending an executioner, he commanded that his head should be brought in a dish. And he beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a dish: and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother. Which his disciples hearing came, and took his body, and laid it in a tomb

Of St. John Baptist his Imprisonment. Mt.14.1.Mk.6.14

1. Consider how St. John Baptist leaving mow the desert into which he was retired from his tender age, went oftentimes to the Court to exhort and admonish King Herod, who did reform himself in some things that St. John had told him.

2. Consider how after some space of time he did reprehend him more eagerly then he was accustomed to do, because the matter did so require, for so much as he kept his brothers wife, he being yet alive, contrary to all right and reason.

3. Consider how Herodias being much grieved at St. John's words, did move the King in such sort, that forthwith he commanded him to be apprehended & committed to Prison.

Let us learn,

1. That we must some times for some space and upon some occasions leave the sweet repose of contemplation, especially when the salvation of our neighbors soul doth require it.

2. To reprehend boldly and constantly the vices of Princes and great noble men, when the affair doth demand it, yet so, that it be done with wisdom and discretion.

3. To endure not only bands & imprisonment when it shall be requisite, but also death itself for the word of God and testimony of the Truth.

Vincenzo Bruno S. J. 1614