LIVE IT TODAY: Friday, August 29, 2025 | Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
I have called you to live truth courageously, even when it costs everything.
LIVE IT TODAY: Friday, August 29, 2025 | Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN TODAY!
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GOD'S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY
I have called you to live truth courageously, even when it costs everything.
INVOCATION
Come, Holy Spirit! Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire for me. Draw me ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity!
GOSPEL | Mark 6:17–29
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.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers,
his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.
Herodias’ own daughter came in
and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”
He even swore many things to her,
“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of 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 back to the king’s presence and made her request,
“I want you to give me at once
on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders
to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
EVERY DAY QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
The Cost of Truth: Prophetic Courage in a Compromised World
Today’s Gospel is harrowing—a tale of pride, lust, manipulation, and cowardice. It ends not with justice, but with a severed head on a platter. And yet, in the midst of this darkness, we find the brilliance of Saint John the Baptist, who stands as an unflinching beacon of truth.
John confronted Herod not with venom, but with holy clarity: “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” His words were not driven by self-righteousness, but by love for both Herod and the law of God. John’s love for the truth made him dangerous to those living lies—and it cost him his life.
Herod, for his part, was conflicted. He knew John was holy. He was intrigued. But he was weak. He feared what others thought more than he feared God. This is one of the great tragedies of history: how many holy men and women have been silenced not by the hatred of tyrants, but by their moral cowardice?
In our world today, truth is still dangerous. Calling sin “sin” can make you a target—even within the Church. Standing up for marriage, for the unborn, for authentic masculinity and femininity, for the Gospel—it may cost you reputation, relationships, even employment. But we are not called to play it safe. We are called to live awake, ready, and faithful.
Parents: You are prophets in your homes. Are you proclaiming hard truths to your children—not with anger, but with love and clarity? Are you living them out? Are you forming their hearts to prefer the discomfort of truth over the seduction of lies?
And are you willing to risk your comfort for the sake of another’s soul?
Let John’s blood speak louder than the crowd’s applause. Let his voice echo in our own. The world doesn’t need more agreeable Christians—it needs saints who bleed truth in love.
“By the power of the Holy Spirit God’s children can bear much fruit. He who has grafted us onto the true vine will make us bear ‘the fruit of the Spirit... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.’” (CCC 736)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Cost of the Kingdom:
What truth are you avoiding speaking or living out because of fear?
Prophetic Parenting:
What are some specific ways you can more boldly and lovingly proclaim the truth in your home?
Legacy of the Martyr:
If you died today, would your life be a testimony to the truth of Jesus?
FAMILY LIVE IT
Make some time today to gather together and, going around, share what it means to speak truth in love even when it’s hard—and who in your life has shown you what courageous love looks like.
Then pray over each person by name:
that Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, would flood each heart with boldness, humility, and love—that you may stand as witnesses to His truth no matter the cost.
DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING
LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen.
PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: bit.ly/ParentBlessing
GOING VERTICAL
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak.
ENTER THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME: LifeTimeRide.com
Then: Listen to the moving song, Ride Of A Lifetime:
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