The Beheading of John the Baptist

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, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;

   let me never be put to shame!

2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;

   incline your ear to me, and save me!

3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come;

   you have given the command to save me,

   for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,

   from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.

5 For you, O Lord, are my hope,

   my trust, O Lord, from my youth.

6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;

   you are he who took me from my mother's womb.

   My praise is continually of you.

Psalm 71 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Job 6:1, 7:1-21 - Acts 10:1-16 - John 7:1-13