An opportunity came –
when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet
for his nobles
and the army officers
and the prominent people in Galilee
and when the daughter of this Herodias
entered  and danced-
she pleased Herod and the guests. 

The king said to the girl:
‘Ask me for whatever you wish and I will give it to you.’
And he swore oaths to her.
‘Whatever you ask of me I will give, even to half of my kingdom.’

And she went out and said to her mother ‘What shall I ask for?’ 

She said ‘The head of John the Baptiser.’

And she went in and immediately with speed asked the King:
‘I want you to give to me at once upon a plate the head of John the Baptist.’

And the King became full of sadness,
but because of the promises and the guests
he did not want to break the promises to her. 

And immediately the King sent a guard and he gave orders to bring his head.
And he went and beheaded him in prison.
And he brought his head on a plate
and he gave it to the girl,
and the girl gave it to her mother. 

And when his disciples heard, they came and took his body and put it into a tomb. 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy,
For your mercy and for your truth’s sake. Amen