by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Feb 9, 2019 | Evangelium
FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, Psalter I
St Scholastica (480 – 547)
Green/White
Entrance Antiphon Ps 94: 6-7
O come, let us worship God and bow low before the God who made us, for he is the Lord our God.
Collect
Keep your family safe, O Lord, with unfailing care, that, relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace, they may be defended always by your protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Isaiah 6:1-2, 3-8
In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord of Hosts seated on a high throne; his train filled the sanctuary; above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings. And they cried out to one another in this way, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. His glory fills the whole earth.’ The foundations of the threshold shook with the voice of the one who cried out, and the Temple was filled with smoke. I said: ‘What a wretched state I am in! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of Hosts.’ Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding in his hand a live coal which he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. With this he touched my mouth and said: ‘See now, this has touched your lips, your sin is taken away, your iniquity is purged.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: ‘Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’ I answered, ‘Here I am, send me.’
Psalm 137(138):1-5,7-8
- R) Before the angels I will bless you, O Lord.
1) I thank you, Lord, with all my heart: you have heard the words of my mouth. In the presence of the angels I will bless you. I will adore before your holy temple.
2) I thank you for your faithfulness and love, which excel all we ever knew of you. On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul.
3) All earth’s kings shall thank you when they hear the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the Lord’s ways: ‘How great is the glory of the Lord!’
4)You stretch out your hand and save me, your hand will do all things for me. Your love, O Lord, is eternal, discard not the work of your hands.
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, the gospel that you received and in which you are firmly established; because the gospel will save you only if you keep believing exactly what I preached to you – believing anything else will not lead to anything. Well then, in the first place, I taught you what I had been taught myself, namely that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; and that he was raised to life on the third day, in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared first to Cephas and secondly to the Twelve. Next he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died; then he appeared to James, and then to all the apostles; and last of all he appeared to me too; it was as though I was born when no one expected it. I am the least of the apostles; in fact, since I persecuted the Church of God, I hardly deserve the name apostle; but by God’s grace that is what I am, and the grace that he gave me has not been fruitless. On the contrary, I, or rather the grace of God that is with me, have worked harder than any of the others; but what matters is that I preach what they preach, and this is what you all believed.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 15:15
Alleluia, alleluia! I call you friends, says the Lord, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11
Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point. When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, our God, who once established these created things to sustain us in our frailty, grant, we pray, that they may become for us now the Sacrament of eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 106: 8-9
Let them thank the Lord for his mercy, his wonders for the children of men, for he satisfies the thirsty soul, and the hungry he fills with good things.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who have willed that we be partakers in the one Bread and the one Chalice, grant us, we pray, so to live that, made one in Christ, we may joyfully bear fruit for the salvation of the world. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The weight of sin. Sin puts the weight of guilt on us. In our three readings today, we see people who were held back by the weight of sin temporarily. The prophet Isaiah received a vision of God in heaven but instead of being overjoyed as we would expect at having seen God in heaven, he was filled with fear because he was in sin. Saint Paul remembers all the trouble he caused the Church in the past: “I am the least of the apostles; in fact, since I persecuted the Church of God, I hardly deserve the name apostle.” When Peter saw the catch of fish, what came to his mind was his sinfulness: “Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.” Clearly Isaiah, Paul and Peter were held back by the drag and weight of sin before they were forgiven. We also cannot really be happy if we are in sin. But once we turn from sin and receive forgiveness, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we become new people. Isaiah, Paul and Peter acknowledged their sin, and the first step in overcoming any problem is admitting that the problem exists. Of course, God is always ready to cleanse us and forgive all our sins when we admit them.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Feb 8, 2019 | Evangelium
St Teilo
Teilo lived in the sixth century as a monk, with St David at Mynyw. He founded his own monastery at Llandeilo Fawr where he died. At Llandaff he is venerated as founder of the See.
Green/White
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21
Through Christ, let us offer God an unending sacrifice of praise, a verbal sacrifice that is offered every time we acknowledge his name. Keep doing good works and sharing your resources, for these are sacrifices that please God. Obey your leaders and do as they tell you, because they must give an account of the way they look after your souls; make this a joy for them to do, and not a grief – you yourselves would be the losers. I pray that the God of peace, who brought our Lord Jesus back from the dead to become the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood that sealed an eternal covenant, may make you ready to do his will in any kind of good action; and turn us all into whatever is acceptable to himself through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.
Psalm 22(23)
R/ The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
1)The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.
2) He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.
3) You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.
4) Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 10:27
Alleluia, alleluia!The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 6:30-34
The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Shepherding was one of the oldest of callings in Israel. Looking after sheep was no easy vocation. It required great skill and courage. Herds were often quite large. The flock spent a good part of the year in the open country. Watching over them required a great deal of attention and care. Sheep who strayed from the flock had to be sought out and brought back by the shepherd. Since wild animals were common and fed on sheep, the shepherds often had to do battle with these wild and dangerous beasts. A shepherd literally had to put his life on the line in defending his sheep. Christ remains our Good shepherd. We are, therefore, called to be like Him. What does the image of a shepherd tell us about God’s care for us?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Feb 8, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Sainte Apolline
Martyre à Alexandrie, elle refusa de renier la foi et se jeta elle-même dans le bûcher qui avait été préparé pour elle.
Vert/Blanc
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 105, 47
Sauve-nous, Seigneur notre Dieu; rassemble tes enfants dispersés. Nous rendrons grâce à ton saint nom, nous te bénirons dans la joie.
Prière d’ouverture
Accorde-nous, Seigneur, de pouvoir t’adorer sans partage, et d’avoir pour tout homme une vraie charité. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Hb 13, 15-17. 20-21
Frères, en toute circonstance, offrons à Dieu, par Jésus, un sacrifice de louange, c’est-à-dire les paroles de nos lèvres qui proclament son nom. N’oubliez pas d’être généreux et de partager. C’est par de tels sacrifices que l’on plaît à Dieu. Faites confiance à ceux qui vous dirigent et soyez-leur soumis ; en effet, ils sont là pour veiller sur vos âmes, ce dont ils auront à rendre compte. Ainsi, ils accompliront leur tâche avec joie, sans avoir à se plaindre, ce qui ne vous serait d’aucun profit. Que le Dieu de la paix, lui qui a fait remonter d’entre les morts, grâce au sang de l’Alliance éternelle, le berger des brebis, le Pasteur par excellence, notre Seigneur Jésus, que ce Dieu vous forme en tout ce qui est bon pour accomplir sa volonté, qu’il réalise en nous ce qui est agréable à ses yeux, par Jésus Christ, à qui appartient la gloire pour les siècles des siècles. Amen.
Psaume 22 (23), 1-2ab, 2c- 3, 4, 5, 6
R/ Le Seigneur est mon berger: rien ne saurait me manquer. 22, 1
- Le Seigneur est mon berger: je ne manque de rien. Sur des prés d’herbe fraîche, il me fait reposer.
- Il me mène vers les eaux tranquilles et me fait revivre; il me conduit par le juste chemin pour l’honneur de son nom.
- Si je traverse les ravins de la mort, je ne crains aucun mal, car tu es avec moi: ton bâton me guide et me rassure.
- Tu prépares la table pour moi devant mes ennemis; tu répands le parfum sur ma tête, ma coupe est débordante.
- Grâce et bonheur m’accompagnent tous les jours de ma vie ; j’habiterai la maison du Seigneur pour la durée de mes jours.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Mes brebis écoutent ma voix, dit le Seigneur; moi, je les connais, et elles me suivent. Alléluia. (Jn 10, 27)
Évangile : Marc 6, 30-34
En ce temps- là, les Apôtres se réunirent auprès de Jésus, et lui annoncèrent tout ce qu’ils avaient fait et enseigné Il leur dit : « Venez à l’écart dans un endroit désert, et reposez-vous un peu. » De fait, ceux qui arrivaient et ceux qui partaient étaient nombreux, et l’on n’avait même pas le temps de manger. Alors, ils partirent en barque pour un endroit désert, à l’écart. Les gens les virent s’éloigner, et beaucoup comprirent leur intention. Alors, à pied, de toutes les villes, ils coururent là-bas et arrivèrent avant eux. En débarquant, Jésus vit une grande foule. Il fut saisi de compassion envers eux, parce qu’ils étaient comme des brebis sans berger. Alors, il se mit à les enseigner longuement.
Prière sur les offrandes
Que ton Esprit, Seigneur notre Dieu, nous donne, dans cette eucharistie, la lumière de la foi qui éclairait l’Apôtre Paul quand il annonçait ta gloire aux nations païennes. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
« Je vis dans la foi au Fils de Dieu qui m’a aimé et qui s’est livré pour moi »
Prière après la communion
Que cette communion, Seigneur notre Dieu, entretienne en nous la charité qui brûlait au cœur de l’Apôtre Paul et lui donnait un souci passionné de toutes les Églises. Par Jésus.
Méditation
La compassion devant les difficultés vécues dans le monde devrait constituer une source d’énergie qui amène les fidèles chrétiens à enseigner la Bonne Nouvelle du salut aux personnes qui cherchent à l’entendre de tout cœur. Le Christ nous le dit clairement car, le profond désir de son auditoire de l’écouter la pousse à « réajuster» son programme pour s’occuper des gens prêts à braver maints obstacles pour entendre la Parole de Dieu.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Feb 7, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Sainte Joséphine Bakhita (1869-1947)
Soudanaise, esclave puis religieuse, la Mère Noire- ainsi que l’appelaient affectueusement ceux qui la connaissaient- a été béatifiée par Jean Paul II le 17 mai 1992. Elle a été déclarée sainte le 1er octobre 2000.
Vert/Blanc
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 105, 47
Sauve-nous, Seigneur notre Dieu; rassemble tes enfants dispersés. Nous rendrons grâce à ton saint nom, nous te bénirons dans la joie.
Prière d’ouverture
Accorde-nous, Seigneur, de pouvoir t’adorer sans partage, et d’avoir pour tout homme une vraie charité. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Hb 13, 1-8
Frères, que demeure l’amour fraternel ! N’oubliez pas l’hospitalité: elle a permis à certains, sans le savoir, de recevoir chez eux des anges. Souvenez-vous de ceux qui sont en prison, comme si vous étiez prisonniers avec eux. Souvenez-vous de ceux qui sont maltraités, car vous aussi, vous avez un corps. Que le mariage soit honoré de tous, que l’union conjugale ne soit pas profanée, car les débauchés et les adultères seront jugés par Dieu. Que votre conduite ne soit pas inspirée par l’amour de l’argent: contentez-vous de ce que vous avez, car Dieu lui-même a dit : Jamais je ne te lâcherai, jamais je ne t’abandonnerai. C’est pourquoi nous pouvons dire en toute assurance: Le Seigneur est mon secours, je n’ai rien à craindre ! Que pourrait me faire un homme ? Souvenez-vous de ceux qui vous ont dirigés : ils vous ont annoncé la parole de Dieu. Méditez sur l’aboutissement de la vie qu’ils ont menée, et imitez leur foi. Jésus Christ, hier et aujourd’hui, est le même, il l’est pour l’éternité. – Parole du Seigneur.
Psaume (26 (27), 1, 3, 5, 9abcd)
R/ Le Seigneur est ma lumière et mon salut. (26, 1a)
- Le Seigneur est ma lumière et mon salut ; de qui aurais-je crainte ? Le Seigneur est le rempart de ma vie; devant qui tremblerais-je ?
- Qu’une armée se déploie devant moi, mon cœur est sans crainte ; que la bataille s’engage contre moi, je garde confiance.
- Oui, il me réserve un lieu sûr au jour du malheur; il me cache au plus secret de sa tente, il m’élève sur le roc.
- C’est ta face, Seigneur, que je cherche: ne me cache pas ta face. N’écarte pas ton serviteur avec colère: tu restes mon secours.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Heureux ceux qui ont entendu la Parole dans un cœur bon et généreux, qui la retiennent et portent du fruit par leur persévérance. Alléluia. (Cf. Lc 8, 15)
Évangile : Mc 6, 14-29
En ce temps-là, comme le nom de Jésus devenait célèbre, le roi Hérode en entendit parler. On disait: « C’est Jean, celui qui baptisait: il est ressuscité d’entre les morts, et voilà pourquoi des miracles se réalisent par lui. » Certains disaient : « C’est le prophète Élie. » D’autres disaient encore : « C’est un prophète comme ceux de jadis.» Hérode entendait ces propos et disait: « Celui que j’ai fait décapiter, Jean, le voilà ressuscité!» Car c’était lui, Hérode, qui avait donné l’ordre d’arrêter Jean et de l’enchaîner dans la prison, à cause d’Hérodiade, la femme de son frère Philippe, que lui-même avait prise pour épouse. En effet, Jean lui disait: « Tu n’as pas le droit de prendre la femme de ton frère. » Hérodiade en voulait donc à Jean, et elle cherchait à le faire mourir. Mais elle n’y arrivait pas parce que Hérode avait peur de Jean : il savait que c’était un homme juste et saint, et il le protégeait ; quand il l’avait entendu, il était très embarrassé ; cependant il l’écoutait avec plaisir. Or, une occasion favorable se présenta quand, le jour de son anniversaire, Hérode fit un dîner pour ses dignitaires, pour les chefs de l’armée et pour les notables de la Galilée. La fille d’Hérodiade fit son entrée et dansa. Elle plut à Hérode et à ses convives. Le roi dit à la jeune fille : « Demande-moi ce que tu veux, et je te le donnerai. » Et il lui fit ce serment : «Tout ce que tu me demanderas, je te le donnerai, même si c’est la moitié de mon royaume. » Elle sortit alors pour dire à sa mère : « Qu’est-ce que je vais demander?» Hérodiade répondit : « La tête de Jean, celui qui baptise. » Aussitôt la jeune fille s’empressa de retourner auprès du roi, et lui fit cette demande : « Je veux que, tout de suite, tu me donnes sur un plat la tête de Jean le Baptiste.» Le roi fut vivement contrarié ; mais à cause du serment et des convives, il ne voulut pas lui opposer un refus. Aussitôt il envoya un garde avec l’ordre d’apporter la tête de Jean. Le garde s’en alla décapiter Jean dans la prison. Il apporta la tête sur un plat, la donna à la jeune fille, et la jeune fille la donna à sa mère. Ayant appris cela, les disciples de Jean vinrent prendre son corps et le déposèrent dans un tombeau.
Prière sur les offrandes
Que ton Esprit, Seigneur notre Dieu, nous donne, dans cette eucharistie, la lumière de la foi qui éclairait l’Apôtre Paul quand il annonçait ta gloire aux nations païennes. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
« Je vis dans la foi au Fils de Dieu qui m’a aimé et qui s’est livré pour moi »
Prière après la communion
Que cette communion, Seigneur notre Dieu, entretienne en nous la charité qui brûlait au cœur de l’Apôtre Paul et lui donnait un souci passionné de toutes les Églises. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
Un certain excès de joie peut conduire les hommes à commettre de graves erreurs à travers des serments faits. Voilà ce qui arrive au roi Hérode. Pris dans cette euphorie, il promet à sa fille tout ce qu’elle veut même si c’est la moitié de son royaume. Contre toute attente, celle-ci, partant du désir de sa mère, lui demande plutôt la tête de Jean Baptiste. Bien que contrarié, il cède à ce désir macabre. Ainsi, l’effort de tempérance est à cultiver dans la vie de chaque jour afin d’éviter de se faire prendre sous quelques sentiments ou émotions que ce soient.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Feb 7, 2019 | Evangelium
St Josephine Bakhita (1869 – 1947)
She was born in Darfur (Sudan). She was kidnapped and sold as a slave. Rescued by an Italian family she became a Christian and joined the Canossian Daughters of Charity. She died in 1947.
Green/White
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Hebrews 13:1-8
Continue to love each other like brothers, and remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Keep in mind those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; and those who are being badly treated, since you too are in the one body. Marriage is to be honoured by all, and marriages are to be kept undefiled, because fornicators and adulterers will come under God’s judgement. Put greed out of your lives and be content with whatever you have; God himself has said: I will not fail you or desert you, and so we can say with confidence: With the Lord to help me, I fear nothing: what can man do to me? Remember your leaders, who preached the word of God to you, and as you reflect on the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same today as he was yesterday and as he will be for ever.
Psalm 26(27):1,3,5,8-9
- R) The Lord is my light and my help.
1)The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink?
2) Though an army encamp against me my heart would not fear. Though war break out against me even then would I trust.
3) For there he keeps me safe in his tent in the day of evil. He hides me in the shelter of his tent, on a rock he sets me safe.
4) It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; hide not your face. Dismiss not your servant in anger; you have been my help.
Gospel Acclamation: cf. Lk 8:15
Alleluia, alleluia!Blessed are those who, with a noble and generous heart, take the word of God to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 6:14-29
King Herod had heard about Jesus, since by now his name was well known. Some were saying, ‘John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Others said, ‘He is Elijah’; others again, ‘He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have.’ But when Herod heard this he said, ‘It is John whose head I cut off; he has risen from the dead.’ Now it was this same Herod who had sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him; but she was not able to, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him. An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.’ And he swore her an oath, ‘I will give you anything you ask, even half 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 straight back to the king and made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head, here and now, on a dish.’ The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head. The man went off and beheaded him in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The Lord Jesus came to set us free from the oppression of sin and guilt. King Herod, the most powerful and wealthiest man in Judaea, had everything he wanted, except a clear conscience and peace with God. Herod had respected and feared John the Baptist as a great prophet and servant of God. John, however, did not fear to rebuke Herod for his adulterous relationship with his brother’s wife, Herodias. John ended up in prison because of Herodias’ hatred and jealousy. Herod, out of impulse and a desire to please his family and friends, had John beheaded. Now Herod’s conscience is pricked when he hears that some think that John the Baptist has risen. Always work and aspire to live with a clear conscience for it fears no accusation. Do you ever feel haunted by a past failure or a guilty conscience?
