The Passion of John the Baptist, August 29

Part of today's Gospel. From Mark 6: 22-29:

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.

The overview: