1ST READING
This
eulogy to David’s greatness reminds us that the Jews continue to regard
him highly until today. As we look at the current precarious state of
Israel, it
is helpful to look back to Jewish history and try to understand why the
Jews decide the way they do about certain issues. We are free to argue
the rightness or wrongness of their stand but let us also strive to know
why.
Sirach 47:2-11
2 Like the choice fat of the sacred offerings, so was David in Israel. 3He made sport of lions as though they were kids, and of bears, like lambs of the flock. 4 As
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. 5 Since 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, 6 therefore
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 7 and subdued the enemy on every side. He destroyed the hostile Philistines and shattered their power till our own day. 8 With
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. 9 He added beauty to the feasts and solemnized the seasons of each year 10 so that when the Holy Name was praised, before daybreak the sanctuary would resound. 11 The
Lord forgave him his sins and exalted his strength forever; he
conferred on him the rights of royalty and established his throne in
Israel.
P S A L M
Psalm 18: 31, 47, 50, 51
R: Blessed be God my salvation!
30 [31] God’s way is unerring, the promise of the Lord is fire-tried; he is a shield to all who take refuge in him. (R) 46 [47] The Lord live! And blessed be my Rock! Extolled be God my savior. 49 [50] Therefore will I proclaim you, O Lord, among the nations, and I will sing praise to your name. (R) 50 [51] You who gave
great victories to your king and showed kindness to your anointed, to David and his posterity forever. (R)
GOSPEL
John
the Baptist died because he was unafraid to preach the truth even to
the most powerful men in the land. This is what we need today – leaders
with integrity. Without integrity, the Gospel will lose its power and
capacity to convert. Let us ask God for the grace to be uncompromising
in the way we witness to the truth of our salvation.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart, and yield a harvest through perseverance.
Mark 6:14-29
14 King
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.” 15 Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” 16 But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” 17 Herod
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. 18 John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. 20 Herod
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. 21 Herodias
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. 22 His
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.” 23 He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I
ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 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.” 26 The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. 27 So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. 28 He
brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
think: This is what we need today – leaders with integrity.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
____________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Corinthians 1-4
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