Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Jesus’ fame turns to be widespread which reaches Herod who grants his daughter’s request to behead St. John out of her mother's harbored grudge not to be rebuked of adulterous relationship with her brother-in-law


February 5, 2016

Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Saint of the Day: Saint Agatha, Virgin & Martyr (†251)

CAUTION: Narratives may not be suitable to young audiences.  Parental guidance is advised.  Violence appeared in the account is taken to show that zealous missionaries face even to the point death in proclaiming the Gospel.

Reading 1

2Like the choice fat of the sacred offerings, so was David in Israel.[1] 3He made sport of lions as though they were kids, and of bears, like lambs of the flock. 4As a youth he slew the giant and wiped out the people’s disgrace, when his hand let fly the slingstone that crushed the pride of Goliath.

5Since he called upon the Most High God, who gave strength to his right arm to defeat the skilled warrior and raise up the might of his people, 6Therefore the women sang his praises, and ascribed to him tens of thousands and praised him when they blessed the Lord. When he assumed the royal crown, he battled 7and subdued the enemy on every side. He destroyed the hostile Philistines and shattered their power till our own day.

8With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had his praises sung; He set singers before the altar and by their voices he made sweet melodies, 9He added beauty to the feasts and solemnized the seasons of each year 10So that when the Holy Name was praised, before daybreak the sanctuary would resound.

11The LORD forgave him his sins and exalted his strength forever; He conferred on him the rights of royalty and established his throne in Israel.

Responsorial Psalm

R. (see 47b) Blessed be God my salvation!

31God’s way is unerring, the promise of the LORD is fire-tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

R. Blessed be God my salvation!

47The LORD live! And blessed be my Rock! Extolled be God my savior. 50Therefore will I proclaim You, O LORD, among the nations, and I will sing praise to your name.

R. Blessed be God my salvation!

51You who gave great victories to your king and showed kindness to your anointed,
to David and his posterity forever.

R. Blessed be God my salvation!

Alleluia see Luke 8:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart,
and yield a harvest through perseverance.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel

14King Herod heard about Jesus, for His fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”[2][3] 15Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.”

16But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” 17Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.[4] 18John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

19Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.[5] 20Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him.

21Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.

22His 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.” 23He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.”

24She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25The 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.”

26The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. 27So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. 28He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. 29When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. 



Notes on Readings:

[1] Sirach 47:1-11 - David, a youthful and fearless warrior, the favorite of all Israel, by defeating Goliath, the boastful Philistine giant, removed the people's disgrace and greatly strengthened their power (Sirach 47:1-7). With his whole being he loved and praised God, and his devotion to divine worship led him to develop a liturgical cult. David fell into sin, but repenting, received pardon from God and the promise of an everlasting kingdom (Sirach 47:8-11).
[2] Mark 6:14-16 - The various opinions about Jesus anticipate the theme of His identity that reaches its climax in Mark 8:27-30.
[3] Mark 6: 14 - King Herod: see the footnote on Matthew 14:1.
[4] Mark 6: 17-29 - Similarities are to be noted between Mark's account of the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist in this pericope, and that of the passion of Jesus (Mark 15:1-47). Herod and Pilate, each in turn, acknowledges the holiness of life of one over whom he unjustly exercises the power of condemnation and death (Mark 6:26-27 ; 15:9-10, 14-15). The hatred of Herodias toward John parallels that of the Jewish leaders toward Jesus. After the deaths of John and of Jesus, well-disposed persons request the bodies of the victims of Herod and of Pilate in turn to give them respectful burial (Mark 6:29; 15:45-46).
[5] Mark 6: 19 - Herodias: see the footnote on Matthew 14:3. 

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Dear Humanity,

I personally encourage everyone to emulate JESUS' values on LOVE, FAITH, HOPE
and CHARITY, as the humanity has been a failure; which resulted to the more than two (2) years of pandemic and its after-effects on economy, not only here in the Philippines but worldwide.

And the saddest part of it, is that, it affected the POOREST of the POOR to even extremely be more poorer, in exchange of the affluent to be more richer.

Thank you and may GOD bless you and the whole family to have an enjoyed life's journey at home, Church, schools/universities, corporate commitments, public and places of interest.