The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday, Memorial of the Passion of John the Baptist, 29 August 2024
Jeremiah 1:17-19     <*{{{{><  +  ><}}}}*>     Mark 6:17-29

A precursor of the Lord's birth,
a precursor of the Lord's death.
What a great task you have entrusted,
O God, to John the Baptist and to us 
as well; many times, we forget this 
role of our being like John in life
and in death, always standing
and speaking what is true and just.

Forgive us, O God,
when more often we
have allowed ourselves
to be like Herodias who
"harbored a grudge 
against John."

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 kill him but was unable to do so (Mark 6:17-19).

Take away, O Lord Jesus, 
the many grudges we have, 
festering in our hearts,
eating up our very selves,
and poisoning our relationships 
especially with those closest to us;
heal us, most merciful Jesus,
of the grudges that have tore
us apart and make us whole
again as persons, family 
and friends; take away within us
whatever vestiges of grudges
we have against anyone
so we may move forward
in life, let go of revenge
and ill desires for those
who may have hurt us.

"In you, O Lord,
I take refuge; 
let me never be put 
to shame. In your justice
rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me,
and save me" (Psalm 71:1)
instead of harboring 
grudges inside me against 
anyone.
Amen.