8. Mk 6: 14-29

1 Mk 6: 14-29: The literary arrangement of keeping  the incident of Beheading of John the Baptist between the departure for mission (6:7-13) and return from the mission (6:30) means that anyone involved in the mission of Jesus must meet with difficulties, perhaps even martyrdom.  It also gives the message that humankind cannot advance unless people are committed to a life of integrity and self-sacrificing love, rather than becoming slaves to their passions.