Daily Readings - Fri Feb 04 2022
Sirach
2And just as fat is separated from meat, so was David separated from the sons of Israel3He played with lions, as if with lambs, and he acted similarly with bears, as if they were lambs of the flock, in his youth4Did he not kill the giant, and take away the reproach from his people5By lifting up his hand, with a stone in a sling, he threw down the boasting of Goliath6For he called upon the Almighty Lord, and he swore with his right hand to take away the mighty man of war, and to exalt the horn of his people7So he glorified him amid ten thousand, and he praised him with the blessings of the Lord, by offering him a crown of glory8For he crushed the enemies on every side, and he eradicated his adversaries, the Philistines, even to this day. He broke their horn, even for all time9In all his works, he gave thanks to the Holy One, to the Most High, with words of glory10With all his heart, he praised the Lord and he loved God, who made him and who gave him power against his enemies11And he appointed singers to stand opposite the altar, and by their voices he provided sweet music
Mark
14And king Herod heard of it, (for his name had become well-known) and he said: "John the Baptist has risen again from the dead, and because of this, miracles are at work in him.15But others were saying, "Because it is Elijah." Still others were saying, "Because he is a prophet, like one of the prophets.16When Herod had heard it, he said, "John whom I beheaded, the same has risen again from the dead.17For Herod himself had sent to capture John, and had chained him in prison, because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip; for he had married her18For John was saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.19Now Herodias was devising treachery against him; and she wanted to kill him, but she was unable20For Herod was apprehensive of John, knowing him to be a just and holy man, and so he guarded him. And he heard that he was accomplishing many things, and so he listened to him willingly21And when an opportune time had arrived, Herod held a feast on his birthday, with the leaders, and the tribunes, and the first rulers of Galilee22And when the daughter of the same Herodias had entered, and danced, and pleased Herod, along with those who were at table with him, the king said to the girl, "Request from me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.23And he swore to her, "Anything that you request, I will give to you, even up to half my kingdom.24And when she had gone out, she said to her mother, "What shall I request?" But her mother said, "The head of John the Baptist.25And immediately, when she had entered with haste to the king, she petitioned him, saying: "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.26And the king was greatly saddened. But because of his oath, and because of those who were sitting with him at table, he was not willing to disappoint her27So, having sent an executioner, he instructed that his head be brought on a platter28And he beheaded him in prison, and he brought his head on a platter. And he gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it her mother29When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and they placed it in a tomb
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two distinct narratives that invite us to reflect on leadership, morality, and the consequences of our choices. The first reading from Sirach presents David as a model of faith and courage, a leader who trusted in God and gave thanks for His providence. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel offers a stark contrast, recounting the tragic death of John the Baptist at the hands of King Herod, a ruler whose fear and pride led to violence and injustice. Together, these readings challenge us to consider the kind of leaders we are called to be and the values we uphold in our own lives.
The readings from Sirach and Mark are deeply rooted in their historical contexts. Sirach’s account of David emphasizes his role as a righteous king who glorified God in all his works, while Mark’s narrative reveals the darker side of human nature, as Herod’s fear of John’s truth led to his destruction. These stories remind us that leadership is not about power or prestige but about integrity, humility, and a commitment to justice. John the Baptist, though not a king, lived out a prophetic role, speaking truth to power even at great personal cost. His martyrdom stands as a testament to the enduring power of truth and righteousness.
In our daily lives, we are called to embody the virtues of David and the courage of John the Baptist. We face choices every day between convenience and conviction, between silence and speaking the truth. These readings remind us that our decisions have consequences—not just for ourselves but for others. Like David, we are invited to cultivate gratitude and trust in God’s providence. Like John the Baptist, we are called to stand firm in our faith, even when it is uncomfortable or challenging. Let us strive to be leaders in our own way, living with integrity, speaking the truth with love, and trusting in God’s plan for our lives. In doing so, we become instruments of grace and hope in a world that sorely needs both.