_*THURSDAY, AUGUST 29TH 2024.*__*TWENTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.*__*MEMORIAL OF BEHEADING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.*__*FIRST READING*_ _“Say to them everything that I command you,’ do not be dismayed by them.”__*JEREMIAH 1: 17 – 19*_In those days: The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Gird up your loins; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you.”_*The Word of the Lord.*__*RESPONSORIAL PSALM*_ _Psalm 71: 1 – 2, 3 – 4a, 5 – 6ab, 15ab and 17 (R.) 15ab__*R/. My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.*_In you, O Lord, I take refuge;let me never be put to shame.In your justice, rescue me, free me; incline your ear to me and save me. *R/.*Be my rock, my constant refuge, a mighty stronghold to save me,for you are my rock, my stronghold.My God, free me from the hand of the wicked. *R/.*It is you, O Lord, who are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. On you I have leaned from my birth;from my mother’s womb, you have been my help. *R/.*My mouth will tell of your justice, and all the day long of your salvation.O God, you have taught me from my youth, and I proclaim your wonders still. *R/.*_*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*_Alleluia. _Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven._Alleluia._*GOSPEL*__“I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”__*MARK 6: 17 – 29*_At that time: Herod sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But he could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came, took his; body, and laid it in a tomb. _*The Gospel of the Lord.

*China 29 Nyamavhuvhu – August;**Kurangarira marwadzo aJohani Muombeki**Chiverengo chokutanga:* _Jeremiya 1,17-19__Inzwai chiverengo chinobva mubhuku roMuporofita Jeremiya_ Tenzi anotaurira muporofita kuti, 17 “Iwe, wochisu- nga dzisimbe usimuke uvataurire zvose zvandino- kuudza. Rega kuvatya, ukavatya ndinokuita mbwe- nde pamberi pavo. 18 Tarisa uone, nhasi uno, ini iyeni ndakuita guta retsvingo, nomusimboti wesi- mbi chaiwo, namasvingo endarira kurwisana nenyi- ka ino yose zvayo namadzimambo okwaJudha nama- chinda ayo navapristi vayo navagari vayo. 19Vacha- kurwisa asi havazokukurira nokuti ini ndinewe, ndichazokununura, ndizvo zviri kutaura Tenzi.” *Shoko raMwari.**Rwiyo rwokutsinhira:* _Nziyo 71,1-2.3-4a.5-6ab.15ab+17. (D – 15)_ *(D) – TENZI, muromo wangu uchataura nezvokununura kwenyu.* 1 Ndinopotera kwamuri TENZI, musaite kuti ndinyadziswe. 2 Sezvamakarurama kudai ndinunureiwo, ndisunungureiwo, rerekerai nzeve yenyu kwandiri mundinunure. *(D) – TENZI, muromo wangu uchataura nezvokununura kwenyu.* 3 Ivai kwandiri bako rokupotera, nhare yakasimba yokundinunura, nokuti ndimi dombo rangu nenhare yangu. 4 Ndinunureiwo Mwari wangu kumaoko avanhu vakaipa; kumaoko anombandika, omunhu asakarurama anoutsinye. *(D) – TENZI, muromo wangu uchataura nezvokununura kwenyu.* 5 Ndimi chitarisiro changu TENZI, wandinovimba naye kubvira pauduku hwangu TENZI. 6 Ndakatsamira pamuri kubvira pakuberekwa kwangu, ndimi makanditora munhumbu maamai vangu. *(D) – TENZI, muromo wangu uchataura nezvokununura kwenyu.* 15 Muromo wangu uchataura nezvamabasa enyu akarurama, uye zuva rose nezvokununura kwenyu, nokuti handikwanisi kuzviverenga. 17 Mwari makandidzidzisa kubva pauduku hwangu, kusvikira parizvino ndinoparidza mabasa enyu anoshamisa. *(D) – TENZI, muromo wangu uchataura nezvokununura kwenyu.* *Kupemberera Shoko Rakanaka:* _Mateu 5,10_*Areruya, Areruya* Vakakomborerwa zvavo vanotambudzirwa ururami, nokuti umambo hwedenga ndohwavo. *Areruya.**Shoko Rakanaka:* _Mariko 6,17-29__Inzwai Shoko Rakanaka rakanyorwa naMariko_ 17Mambo Herodhi akanga atuma vanhu kundobata Johani Muombeki, akamuisa mujeri pamusana paHerodhiasi, mudzimai waFiripi, munun’una wake waakatora. 18Nokuti Johani aiti kuna Hero- dhi, “Hazvibvumirwi kuti iwe ugare nomukadzi womunun’una wako.” 19 Ipapo Herodhiasi aiva nedaka naJohani, achida kumuuraya, asi akako- niwa. 20 Pamusana pokuti Herodhi aitya Johani, nokuti aiziva kuti munhu wakarurama, mutsvene, aimudzivirira. Zvaimutambudza kwazvo kunzwa zvaaireva asi zvaimufadza kuteerera zvaaitaura. 21 Zvino zuva rakanga rakamirirwa naHerodhiasi rakazosvika nomusi wokupemberera kuberekwa kwaHerodhi. Pazuva iroro, Herodhi akaitira mabi- ko vakuru-vakuru vehurumende yake, navatunga- miriri vehondo, navakuru-vakuru veGarirea. 22Mwanasikana waHerodhiasi akapinda akatamba, akafadza Herodhi navakanga vagere pakudya naye. Ipapo mambo akati kumusikana, “Ndikumbirehako chero chaunoda ndinokupa.” 23 Uyezve akatopika kwaari achiti, “Ukandikumbira chipi nechipi zvacho ndinokupa, kunyange chikava chikamu chepakati nepakati chezvoushe hwangu.” 24 Zvino musikana uya akabuda panze akabvunza amai vake achiti, “Chii chandingakumbire?” Ivo vakati, “Musoro waJohani anoombeka.” 25 Musi- kana akabva apinda makare nokuchimbidza kuna Mambo ndokukumbira achiti, “Ndinoda kuti mundipe iye zvino, mudhishi, musoro waJohani Muombeki.” 26 Mambo zvakamurwadza chaizvo, asi nokuda kwemhiko dzake dzaakanga aita, uye pamusana pavaenzi vake, haana kuda kuramba. 27 Pakarepo mambo akatuma musoja wokuche- ngetedza mambo achimuti auye nomusoro waJo- hani. Iye akaenda akandomudimura musoro mujeri muya, 28 ndokuuya nawo uri mudhishi, akaupa kumusikana; musikana ndokuupawo kuna amai vake. 29Zvino vadzidzi vaJohani zvavakazvi- nzwa, vakaenda, vakatora chitunha chake ndoku- chiviga muguva. *Shoko Rakanaka raTenzi.

*GOSPEL REFLECTION: Fidelity in Suffering*_Thursday, August 29, 2024__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. (Mark 6:17–19)_The suffering and death of Saint John the Baptist greatly parallels the suffering and death of Jesus. They were cousins. John was one of the first to acknowledge the divine presence of our Lord when he leaped for joy in the womb of his mother during the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. John lived a holy and simple life, embracing His mission to prepare the way for the Lord. He was the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Of him, Jesus said that there was no one born of woman who was greater than John. For these reasons, we should not be the least bit surprised that John’s suffering and death parallelled and prefigured the death of the Savior of the World.Herod was fearful of John, believing him to be a holy man of God. He imprisoned him with a certain regret, knowing that he was innocent. Similarly, before Pilate condemned Jesus to death, he found Him not guilty of any crime. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent but allowed fear to direct his choice to condemn our Lord.John was ultimately killed because of the hatred and plotting of Herodias, the unlawful wife of Herod. It was Herodias’ anger that became a weapon, forcing Herod to put John to death. Similarly, it was the jealousy and anger of the religious leaders at that time that instigated and drove the death of Jesus. Pilate, like Herod, was at first unwilling to condemn our Lord. But the relentless hatred of the scribes and Pharisees compelled Pilate to condemn Jesus, just as it was Herodias’ hatred that compelled Herod to kill John.After John’s death, some of his disciples came to carry his body away for burial. This was permitted by Herod, perhaps because of his feelings of guilt. So also with our Lord, Pilate permitted some disciples and the holy women to carry Jesus’ dead body to the tomb for burial.https://youtu.be/XHMs8i5kHO4?si=x_g7VXiuZCHwmnA0In the end, the good fruit of Jesus’ death infinitely overshadowed the crime that was committed against Him. So also with John. We can be certain that, as a martyr, the blood he shed as a witness to Christ bore spiritual fruit that surpassed all he had done in his public ministry.Each of us is called to imitate our Lord and, therefore, should also take inspiration from Saint John the Baptist. They both were innocent but suffered greatly. They both spoke the truth, despite the hatred of some. They both gave their lives, in accord with the Father’s plan. Jesus was John’s Savior; John was but a precursor and servant of our Lord.*Reflect,* today, upon the invitation God has given to you to imitate the life of John the Baptist by uniting yourself to his Lord. The first form of imitation will take place when you commit yourself to the proclamation of the truth in accord with your mission. What mission has God given to you? How is He calling you to proclaim the Gospel with courage, strength, determination and fidelity to the end? Reflect, also, upon the injustice inflicted first upon John and then upon our Lord. As you do, try to look at any injustice you have received in life in the light of John’s and Jesus’ lives. They did not run away from injustice. They embraced it as a sacrifice and offered it to the Father in Heaven. Jesus’ Sacrifice brought forth the Salvation of the World; John’s was but a sharing in that glorious offering. Make your offering with them, and do not hesitate to do so with deep love and trust in the Father’s plan.*PRAYER:*_Most glorious Lord, You invited Saint John the Baptist to prepare the way for Your coming and Your death. He gave his life as a martyr, and this sacrifice bore an abundance of good fruit. Please give me the grace to walk in his footsteps by faithfully fulfilling my mission in life with courage and strength. May I never waver in the face of injustice so that I can embrace it and make it my spiritual offering to You. Jesus, I trust in You.