Walk in the Spirit February 2020

Friday 7th February 2020
Sirach:47/2-13
Psalm:17/31,47,50,51
(18/30,46,49,50)
Mark:6/14-29
Gospel Proclamation
King Herod heard about Jesus,...,
and people were saying, “John
the Baptist has been raised from the
dead; that is why mighty powers are
at work in him.” ... But when Herod
learned of it, he said, “It is John
whom I beheaded. He has been raised
up.” ..... John had said to Herod, “It
is not lawful for you to have your
brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a
grudge against him and wanted to kill
him but was unable to do so. Herod
feared John, knowing him to be a
righteous and holy man, and kept
him in custody. ... Herodias had an
opportunity one day when Herod, on
his birthday, gave a banquet .... 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.” ... She went out
and said to her mother, “What shall
I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The
head of John the Baptist.” 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.” The king
was deeply distressed, but because
of his oaths and the guests he did not
wish to break his word to her. So he
promptly dispatched an executioner
with orders to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the
prison. He brought in the head on a
platter and gave it to the girl. The
girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid
it in a tomb.
Prayerful Awareness
The Gospel today describes how
John the Baptist was victim of the
corruption and of the arrogance of the
government of Herod. He died without
being judged by a tribunal, in the course
of a banquet given by Herod with the
great men of the kingdom. John, the
prophet, was a living denouncement in
the corrupt system. This is why he was
eliminated under the pretext of personal
vengeance. All this reveals what a man
who did not control himself could do
abusing the power accumulated in his
hands, to work against the Kingdom
of God, against Love, Kindness and
Justice. Herod, under the enthusiasm of
the feast and of the wine swore lightly
to give something to the young dancer.
As he was superstitious, Herod decide to
maintain his oath, as for Him life of his
subjects had no value. But when Herod
heard about Jesus, he got frightened to
think that John the Baptist is reborn. We
see and hear that such things happens
even today with corrupt and biased
politicians who gain power by various
means which they abuse to safeguard
their own selfish interests and hide their
corrupt activities. Do we also commit
sins due to our pride, selfishness and
greed? The first reading is on how God’s
Grace lifted David to give praise and
glory to God, where God forgave him
his sins. We too are called to be humble,
accept our sins, repent and change.
Prayer Starter
Lord our God, help us to love You
with all our hearts and to love all
people as You love them. We ask this
through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your
Son, who lives and reigns with You and
the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and
ever. Amen.
"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"
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