Daily Readings - Fri Feb 04 2022
Mark
14And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.15Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.16But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.17For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.18For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.19Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:20For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.21And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;22And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.23And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.24And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.25And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.26And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.27And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,28And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.29And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid 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.