29 August - The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, prophet and Forerunner

A reading - from the Acts of the holy Apostles

Brothers and sisters - in those days Paul Spoke to the Israelites saying: “As John’s career was coming to an end, he would say, ‘What you suppose me to be I | am | not.

Rather, look for the one who comes after me. I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of | his | feet.’

My brethren, children of the family of Abraham and you others who reverence our God, it was to us that this message of salvation was | sent | forth.

The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their rulers failed to recognize [Jesus], and in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets which he read sabbath af | ter | sabbath.

Even though they found no charge against him which deserved death, they begged Pilate to have | him | executed.

Once they had thus brought about all that had been written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in | a | tomb.

Yet God raised him from the dead, and for many days thereafter Jesus appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to | Je | rusalem.

These are his witnesses now before | the | people.

“We ourselves announce to you the good news that what God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, in raising up Jesus, according to what is written in the se | cond | psalm.

‘You are my Son; this - day - I - have - be - gotten - you.’ “