Tkay Concept

Lessons From the Beheading of John the Baptist

“The king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She asked her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’” (Mark 6:22-24)

Once upon a time, a popular musician sang: “If you stand for the truth, you will always stand alone.” John the Baptist stood for the truth in a world that was fast losing its moral values, and he found himself standing alone. John the Baptist died defending the institution of marriage. We must pay a price if we dare to speak the truth, especially to those in positions of authority. This brings us to our lessons today:

First, never be afraid to speak the truth, especially when you know the facts. By keeping quiet in the face of evil, we partake in the sins of others. It is better to die for telling the truth than to support evil with your silence. The greatest disaster of our age is not only the presence of evil but the indifference of those who are supposed to be good.

In today’s Gospel acclamation, we are reminded of Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12) This promise of a great reward in heaven gives us hope and encouragement, inspiring us to stand for righteousness, no matter the cost.

Secondly, do not be an average Christian; strive for perfection. John the Baptist, even in prison, continued to preach the truth to Herod. Speaking the truth entails speaking directly to those involved. If you know I am a bad person, come to me and tell me to my face. Tell me my mouth is smelling, and I will cry, but don’t forget to brush my teeth next time. Don’t go telling other people about me. Only cowards believe that they can change others by gossiping about them. We must take responsibility for addressing issues directly, not through gossip or hearsay.

Thirdly, Herod was never at peace after the death of John the Baptist. If I fail to accept correction but begin to fight the mouth that tells me the truth, I have murdered my peace. Silencing the voice does not make the evil you do right. The death of John the Baptist did not legitimise the adulterous union of Herod and Herodias; it only made them murderers. No matter how powerful you become, learn to see things from another’s perspective and accept correction.

Fourthly, let us learn to practice self-control. Herod was not thinking straight when he promised even half his kingdom to a little girl. What if she had asked for his head? Think before you speak. Be a master of your emotions. In moments of anger, hold it. In moments of excitement, hold it in, too. Develop the habit of speaking to God and listening to Him before speaking. Avoid making promises. Remember, seeking God’s guidance in all our actions can bring us peace and clarity.

Did Herod go unpunished after committing such a great evil? St. Paul provides a chilling answer: “The Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we solemnly forewarned you.” (1 Thessalonians 4:6; Romans 12:19).

Treat your body as God’s temple. If unmarried, keep yourself free from all forms of immorality. If you are married, be faithful to your spouse. Adultery is a sin. Keeping a side-chick or side-cock is evil. There is no justification whatsoever for the act of s*x outside of the holy domain of marriage. Anyone who considers this statement about adultery offensive is another Herod in the making. Like St. John the Baptist, we would not stop proclaiming the truth.

Let us pray: O God, who willed that Saint John the Baptist should go ahead of your Son both in his birth and in his 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 Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. Liturgical Colour: Red. Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Ps. 33:12-13,18-21, Mark 6:17-29)

Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
Now you know. Lị̀ke, Comment and Shãrê

TODAY’S CATECHISM QUIZ

𝑪𝒂𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒂 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏?

What is the Catholic understanding of salvation?
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Where Love Always Belongs 🏡💑

Life For You

✝️ 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗗𝗢 𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗬 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡?
You have just received Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
This is not an ordinary moment.
It is a moment of profound intimacy between you and your Lord.
So what should you do?
✝️ 𝟭. 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗟𝗬
Walk back prayerfully.
Do not immediately begin chatting, checking your phone, or looking around.
Remember what has just happened:
You have received the King of Heaven.
✝️ 𝟮. 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦
The word Eucharist comes from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving.
Thank Jesus for coming to you.
You can simply say:
“Jesus, thank You for coming to me. I adore You, I love You, and I give You my heart.”
Your prayer does not need to be complicated.
Speak to Jesus from your heart.
✝️ 𝟯. 𝗕𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗛𝗜𝗠
This is one of the most beautiful moments to remain silent.
Do not rush immediately into another activity.
Remain recollected.
Jesus is truly present within you sacramentally.
Stay with Him.
✝️ 𝟰. 𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗝𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗦
You may pray:
“My Lord and my God.”
Or:
“Jesus, I believe that You are truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.”
Adoration is not reserved only for Eucharistic Adoration.
When you receive Holy Communion, you have a unique opportunity to adore Christ whom you have received.
✝️ 𝟱. 𝗔𝗦𝗞 𝗝𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗
This is also a beautiful time to bring your needs before Him.
Pray for your family.
Your vocation.
Your struggles.
Your conversion.
The sick.
The suffering.
The Church.
Those who have died.
And those who have asked you to pray for them.
But above everything else, ask for greater love for Christ and perseverance in His grace.
✝️ 𝟲. 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙 𝗧𝗢 𝗛𝗜𝗠
Say:
“Jesus, I give You my life. Take everything that I am and make me Yours.”
Holy Communion is not only about receiving Christ.
It should also lead us to give ourselves more completely to Christ.
✝️ 𝟳. 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚
Don't be in a hurry to leave the church immediately after Mass.
If possible, remain for a few moments in prayer and thanksgiving.
You have just participated in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and received the Eucharistic Lord.
Stay a little longer with Jesus.
✝️ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛
The moment after Holy Communion is not the time to become distracted.
It is the time to become recollected.
The King has come to you.
The Creator has drawn near to His creature.
The One who loves you has given Himself to you.
So don't waste those precious moments.
Close your eyes.
Be silent.
Thank Him.
Adore Him.
Speak to Him.
And simply remain with Him.
“Jesus, I believe that You are truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Thank You for giving Yourself to me. Remain with me, and help me to remain with You. Amen.”
Ignatius Catholicum ✍️✝️
Now you know. Lị̀ke, Comment and Shãrê

✝️ 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗬 𝗘𝗨𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗦𝗔𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗗
When we receive Holy Communion, we should remember something profound:
Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.
The Church teaches that Christ is wholly present under the appearances of bread and wine.
Therefore, Eucharistic reverence matters—even when we receive Communion in the hand.
✝️ 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗦
If you receive Holy Communion in the hand, take a moment afterward to look carefully at your palms and fingers.
Make sure that no visible fragment of the Sacred Host remains on your hands.
This is not about becoming anxious or scrupulous.
It is about love and reverence for Jesus.
✝️ 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥?
Because the Eucharist is not ordinary bread.
At the consecration, the substance of bread is changed into the Body of Christ, while the appearances of bread remain.
For this reason, the Church calls us to treat the Eucharist with the greatest reverence.
This is also why the Church takes great care to prevent the Sacred Host or its fragments from being lost or profaned.
✝️ 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗙𝗔𝗜𝗧𝗛, 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗥
If you notice a visible particle of the Host on your hand, do not panic.
Treat it reverently and follow the instructions of your parish or minister.
The point is not to become frightened.
The point is to remember Whom we have received.
✝️ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛
Sometimes we are so familiar with Holy Communion that we forget the mystery before us.
We walk forward.
We receive.
We return to our seats.
But stop and remember:
You have just received Jesus Christ.
That should change the way we approach the Eucharist.
Slow down.
Receive reverently.
Make sure no visible fragment remains.
Return to your place prayerfully.
And give thanks to the Lord.
Jesus, truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament, increase our faith, deepen our reverence, and teach us to receive You with greater love. Amen.
Ignatius Catholicum ✍️✝️
Now you know. Lị̀ke, Comment and Shãrê