4th Week in Ordinary Time
3rd February 2023 (Friday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: Hebrews 13:1-8
Brethren: Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.
Psalm 27:1, 3, 5, 8c-9abc (R. 1a)
R/. The Lord is my light and salvation.
Gospel : Mark 6:14-29
At that time: King Herod heard of Jesus, for his name had become known. Some said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him." But others said, "He is Elijah." And others said, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." For it was Herod who had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you. And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom." And she went out and said to her mother, "For what should I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist." And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Let righteousness reign!
Indicative: God is love and we learn to love and live in love like Him. It is this love that makes us righteous, confident, and courageous to accept any adversity for the sake of the same love of God{alertSuccess}
1. We have different characters in today’s gospel episode, mainly in two categories – the negative and the positive. On the negative side, we have Herod, Herodias, Herodias’ daughter, and the courtiers and dignitaries at Herod’s party. On the positive side, we have Jesus and John the Baptist. Each of them indicates some significant lessons for us.
2. As in the words of the first reading, Herod and Herodias are immoral and adulterous. They dishonour marriage and defile marriage bed. He was not free from the love of money. He was not content with what he had. Herod succumbs to the pressure of pleasure, power, and money. He gets John the Baptist beheaded, even though he knew John to be righteous and holy, and knew himself to be wrong. He neither resists the wrong, nor abstains from it, nor questions Herodias.
3. Herodias knew herself to be immoral and in the wrong. But instead of changing herself, she resents John the Baptist who exposes her wrong. She uses her daughter as a pawn. Thus, cunningly she does away with him. Herodias’ daughter, without any moral scruple, allows herself to be manipulated by her mother, to behead John the Baptist. Herod’s courtiers and dignitaries at the party become partners in that murder, by their culpable indifference, even though they could advise him against it.
4. On the other hand, on the positive side, we have John the Baptist and Jesus. They are authentic in life and prophetic in action. They are fearless and truthful, even to the extent of death. True to the words in the first reading, they were convinced of God’s assurance, “I will never forsake you or abandon you”. They stood firm against all opposition and persecution, saying with confidence: The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Whose side are we?
Imperative: When pleasure, power, false dignity, and money overpower man, he loses self-control, forfeits discernment, fears the truth, resists change, and succumbs to evil. Are we also like that?{alertSuccess}