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Heb 13:3 2447
Ps 27:8 2730
Mk 6:17-29 523
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Reading 1
Heb13:1-8
Let brotherly love continue.
Do not neglect hospitality,
for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,
and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,
for you also are in the body.
Let marriage be honored among all
and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,
for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.
Let your life be free from love of money
but be content with what you have,
for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.
Thus we may say with confidence:
The Lord is my helper,
and I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.
Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9abc
R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
For he will hide me in his abode
in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent,
he will set me high upon a rock.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Gospel
Mk 6:14-29
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."
Others were saying, "He is Elijah";
still others, "He is a prophet like any of the prophets."
But when Herod learned of it, he said,
"It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up."
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.
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.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
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.
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."
He even swore many things to her,
"I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom."
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.
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
First reading Hebrews 13:1-8
Continue to love each other like brothers, and remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Keep in mind those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; and those who are being badly treated, since you too are in the one body. Marriage is to be honored by all, and marriages are to be kept undefiled, because fornicators and adulterers will come under God’s judgment. Put greed out of your lives and be content with whatever you have; God himself has said: I will not fail you or desert you, and so we can say with confidence: With the Lord to help me, I fear nothing: what can man do to me?
Remember your leaders, who preached the word of God to you, and as you reflect on the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same today as he was yesterday and as he will be for ever.
Responsorial Psalm:
Psalm 26(27):1,3,5,8-9
The Lord is my light and my help.
The Lord is my light and my help;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
before whom shall I shrink?
The Lord is my light and my help.
Though an army encamp against me
my heart would not fear.
Though war break out against me
even then would I trust.
The Lord is my light and my help.
For there he keeps me safe in his tent
in the day of evil.
He hides me in the shelter of his tent,
on a rock he sets me safe.
The Lord is my light and my help.
It is your face, O Lord, that I seek;
hide not your face.
Dismiss not your servant in anger;
you have been my help.
The Lord is my light and my help.
Gospel Mark 6:14-29
King Herod had heard about Jesus, since by now his name was well-known. Some were saying, ‘John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Others said, ‘He is Elijah’; others again, ‘He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have.’ But when Herod heard this he said, ‘It is John whose head I cut off; he has risen from the dead.’
Now it was this same Herod who had sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him; but she was not able to, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.
An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.’ And he swore her an oath, ‘I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the Baptist’ The girl hurried straight back to the king and made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head, here and now, on a dish.’ The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head. The man went off and beheaded him in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Readings and Commentary from the Navarre Bible
Friday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Hebrews 13:1-8
Duties Towards Others--Charity, Hospitality, Fidelity in Marriage
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[1] Let brotherly love continue. [2] Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,' for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. [3] Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you also are in the body. [4] Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous. [5] Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never fail you nor forsake you." [6] Hence we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?"
Religious Duties--Obeying Lawful Pastors; Religious Worship
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[7] Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. [8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.
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Commentary:
1-3. The teaching on moral questions which takes up this chapter follows on logically from the trend of the whole letter, particularly the previous chapter: faithfulness to Christ means being faithful to him as a person and to his teaching. As he himself said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (Jn 14:15). Among the essential teachings of our faith is the supreme importance of charity: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (Jn 13:34-35). As Tertullian attests, pagans bore witness to how well the early Christians practised this virtue, when they would say, "See how they love one another: they are ready to die for one another" ("Apologeticum", 39).
Brotherly love expresses itself in all kinds of ways. One of them is hospitality, which is one of the traditional corporal works of mercy. The virtue of hospitality is given high praise in this passage which contains implicit references to episodes in the life of Abraham and Sarah (Gen 18), Lot (cf. Gen 19), Manoah (cf. Judg 13:3-22) or Tobit (cf. Job 12:1-20), who gave hospitality to wayfarers who turned out to be angels. Similarly, Christians who practise this virtue are in fact welcoming Christ himself (cf. Mt 25:40). They should also see Christ in everyone who is experiencing any kind of suffering. "He himself is the one who in each individual experiences love; he himself is the one who receives help, when this is given to every suffering person without exception. He himself is present in this suffering person, since his salvific suffering has been opened once and for all to every human suffering" (John Paul II, "Salvifici Doloris", 30).
4. For anyone to practise charity towards God and towards others, the virtue of chastity is essential. It expands one's capacity for love. The text earnestly exhorts Christians to show their appreciation of marriage by practising marital chastity. Marriage is a personal calling by God to seek holiness in that state in life. "In God's plan, all husbands and wives are called in marriage to holiness, and this lofty vocation is fulfilled to the extent that the human person is able to respond to God's command with serene confidence in God's grace and in his or her own will" (John Paul II, "Familiaris Consortio", 34).
However, this also calls for marital chastity, which is a manifestation and proof of true love. "Human love--pure, sincere and joyful--cannot subsist in marriage without the virtue of chastity, which leads a couple to respect the mystery of sex and ordain it to faithfulness and personal dedication [...].
"When there is chastity in the love of married persons, their marital life is authentic; husband and wife are true to themselves, they understand each other and develop the union between them. When the divine gift of sex is perverted their intimacy is destroyed, and they can no longer look openly at one another" (St J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 25).
5-6. In teaching against love of money and exaggerated desire for material things, the text may be echoing what our Lord said: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up treasures in heaven [...]" (Mt 6:19-20). The epistle is encouraging us to trust God at all times and to be detached from earthly things. "Detach yourself from the goods of the world. Love and practise poverty of spirit: be content with what enables you to live a simple and sober life [...]" (St J. Escriva, "The Way", 631).
It uses some words spoken by Moses on God's behalf to remind the reader that it is God himself who has told man that he will never abandon him (cf. Deut 31:6). These words should fill us with consolation, allowing us to say with the psalmist (cf. Ps 118:6) that we can do anything provided God helps us, and there is nothing for us to fear provided we abandon ourselves to divine providence (cf. Mt 6:25-32).
"If Christ is yours, then wealth is yours; he satisfies all your wants. He will look after you, manage all your affairs for you most dutifully; you will need no human support to rely on [...]. Put all your trust in God; center in him all your fear and all your love; he will make himself responsible for you, and all will go well as he sees best" ("The Imitation of Christ", 1, 2-3).
7-19. In this passage this more practical section of the epistle examines specifically ecclesial duties, placing special emphasis on the Christian's duty to maintain unity with and to obey and respect those have the mission to govern the community. This exhortation is made twice (vv. 7 and 17) to show the importance of obedience to lawful pastors(cf. 1 Thess 5:12-13; 1 Cor 16:16). We should see in the pastors of the Church a model of how we should practise the faith (v. 7; cf. Phil 3:17), and in particular we should see them as Christ's representatives (cf. Gal 4:12-14). Obedience to the hierarchy of the Church naturally involves accepting its teaching and eschewing heretical opinions (v. 9; cf. 1 Tim 6:3; Gal 1:6-9). Unity of faith, moreover, has to be expressed in unity of worship (v. 10; cf. Phil 3:3; Eph 4:4-5): no one may take part in Christian worship while continuing to take part in Jewish worship (cf. 1 Cor 10:16-21), nor is it lawful to regard rabbinical rules about food as still applying (v. 9; Col 2:16-18; 1 Tim 4:3-5). One needs to undergo a real conversion (vv. 11-13; Rom 3:23-26) and to put aside outdated rites and practices if one is to share in Christ's Cross (1 Cor 2:21-25; Gal 6:14-15). We must not put our trust in earthly things, but instead bear in mind that our end and goal is heaven (cf. Phil 3:20). Finally, unity of faith, discipline and sacraments must express itself in a consistent, coherent lifestyle whereby we are always in the presence of God, use everything as an opportunity for prayer and sacrifice, and practise a continuous charity towards others (vv. 15-16; cf. Gal 6:9-10; Rom 12:9-13; Eph 5:1-2; etc.). This short passage gives a very attractive outline of what Christian life involves. As Vatican II put it, "A life like this calls for a continuous exercise of faith, hope and charity. Only the light of faith and meditation on the Word of God can enable us to find everywhere and always the God 'in whom we live and move and have our being' (Acts 17:28); only thus can we seek his will in everything, see Christ in all men, acquaintance or stranger, and make sound judgments on the true meaning and value of temporal realities both in themselves and in relation to man's end" (Apostolicam Actuositatem, 2).
7-14. The sacred text emphasizes the need to be at one with those in charge, the pastors and teachers of the Christian communities. Reference, in the past tense, to their faith suggests it is referring to those who have already obtained the crown of martyrdom--people like Stephen and St James the Greater (cf. Acts 7:59-60; 12:2), and other members of the community who were victims of Jewish persecution (cf. Acts 8:1; Heb 6:10; 10:32-34). They were admirable people; however, unity with one's leaders was not and is not conditional on the personal quality of these leaders: "What a pity that whoever is in charge doesn't give you good example! But, is it for his personal qualities that you obey him? (cf. Acts 7:59-60; 12:2), and other members of the community who were victims of Jewish persecution (cf. Acts 8:1; Heb 6:10; 10:32-34). They were admirable people; however, unity with one's leaders was not and is not conditional on the personal quality of these leaders: "What a pity that whoever is in charge doesn't give you good example! But, is it for his personal qualities that you obey him? Or do you conveniently interpret Saint Paul's "obedite praepositis vestris": obey your leaders' with a qualification of your own ..., 'always provided they have virtues to my taste'?" (St J. Escriva, "The Way", 621). Faithfulness to and solidarity with one's lawful pastors is faithfulness towards Christ himself, for the "bishops, as vicars and legates of Christ, govern the particular churches assigned to them by their counsels, exhortations and example, but over and above that also by the authority and sacred power which indeed they exercise exclusively for the spiritual development of their flock in truth and holiness, keeping in mind that he who is greater should become as the lesser, and he who is the leader as the servant (cf. Lk 22:26-27)" (Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium" 27). Thus, it is rightly said that he who hears them hears Christ (cf. Lk 10:16). For their part, pastors should have the same love and solicitude for those in their charge as our Redeemer had; in this wonderful unity of charity the mystery of Christ will shine forth; it is Christ's right "to be the sole ruler of the Church; and for this reason also he is likened to the Head. The head (to use the words of St Ambrose) is 'the royal citadel' of the body ("Hexameron", VI, 9, 55), and because it was endowed with more perfect gifts it naturally rules all the members, being purposely placed above them to have them under its care. In like manner the divine Redeemer wields the supreme power and government over the whole commonwealth of Christians" (Pius XII, "Mystici Corporis", 16).
The mystery of the Incarnation is indissolubly linked to the mystery of the Church, in such a way that the unity of the Church is a sign of the unity of the Lord's Body, which is one body with many different members (cf. 1 Cor 12:1-12; "Lumen Gentium", 7). Therefore, fidelity to the Church derives not from human reasons but from a desire to be faithful to Christ himself.
Fidelity to Christ, his preaching, to his commandments and the sacraments he instituted leads to loving fulfillment of everything the Church lays down with regard to worship--particularly to interior practice of the faith, repentance for sin and fervent reception of the sacraments (cf. Council of Trent, "De Iustificatione", chaps. 6 and 8; Rom 3:22-24; 11:16; Eph 2:8; 1 Cor 4:7-15:10 2 Cor 3:5). There are no clean or unclean foods (cf. Col 2:16; Rom i4:2-4) whether they are offered to idols or not (cf. 1 Cor 8; 10:14-33), whether they are eaten or abstained from on certain days (cf. Rom 14:5; Col 2:16; Gal 4:10); there is no food which readers a person unclean or leads him to salvation (cf. Mk 7:15, 18; Rom 14:17, 20): for one whose heart is pure all things are pure (cf. Tit 1:15). The important thing is the grace of God, which is given us in the sacraments and which enables us to practise all the commandments out of love for God. The letter moves from these remarks about legal purity and impurity to point out that there is now an entirely new situation and what really matters is sharing in the paschal mystery of Christ, that is, in his passion, death and resurrection.
8. This verse expresses the foundation of the life of every Christian. It is a wonderful expression of faith constituting an act of adoration and reverence similar to the praise of the one God in Deuteronomy 6:4 ("The Lord our God is one Lord") or of the eternal God in Psalm 102:12 ("Thou, O Lord, art enthroned for ever; thy name endures to all generations"), only here it is Jesus Christ who is being extolled. Though their first teachers and guides may have died to bear witness to their faith, Christians will always have a teacher and guide who will never die, who lives for ever crowned with glory. Men come and go but Jesus remains for ever. He exists from all eternity, he is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End (cf. Rev 1:8; 22:13); he lived "yesterday" among men in a specific period of history; he lives "today" in heaven, at the right hand of the Father, and he is "today", at our side providing us with grace and forever interceding for us (cf. Mt 28:20; Heb 4:14); he will remain "for ever" as High Priest and Redeemer (cf. Heb 6:20; 7:17) until he establishes his Kingdom and hands it to his Father (cf. 1 Cor 15:24-28).
It is moving to think that Christ did not take on human nature for a limited period only. The Incarnation was decreed from all eternity, and the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, in time and space, in the reign of Caesar Augustus, remains a man for ever, with a glorious body bearing the resplendent marks of his passion. In Christ's human nature, now indissolubly joined to the divine person of the Son, all Creation is in some way glorified (cf. Col 1:15-20; Eph 1:9-10). Therefore, we can be absolutely sure that Christ's teaching cannot change: it is as immutable as he is and it will eventually transform the world. We know that all dimensions of human life--work, family life, life in society, affections, suffering--acquire in Christ a new and lasting purpose. "The Church believes that Christ, who died and was raised for the sake of all, can show man the way and strengthen him
through the Spirit in order to be worthy of his destiny: nor is there any other name under heaven given among men by which they can be saved. The Church likewise believes that the key, the center and the purpose of the whole of man's history is to be found in its Lord and Master. She also maintains that beneath all that changes there is much that is unchanging, much that has its ultimate foundation in Christ, who is the same yesterday, and today, and forever" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes", 10). This is the source of the Christian's confidence. "Jesus is the way. Behind him on this earth of ours he has left the clear outlines of his footprints. They are indelible signs which neither the erosion of time nor the treachery of the evil one have been able to erase. "Iesus Christus herd et hodie; ipse et in saecula". How I love to recall these words! Jesus Christ, the very Jesus who was alive yesterday for his Apostles and the people who sought him out--this same Jesus lives today for us, and will live forever" (St J. Escriva, "Friends of God", 127).
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From: Mark 6:14-29
Opinions About Jesus
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[14] King Herod heard of it; for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work with Him." [15] But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." [16] But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised."
John the Baptist Beheaded
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[17] For Herod 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. [18] For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." [19] And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, [20] for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. [21] But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. [22] For when Herodias' 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 grant it." [23] And he said to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom."
[24] And she went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptizer." [25] 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 Baptizer on a platter." [26] And the King was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oath and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. [27] And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, [28] and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. [29] When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
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Commentary:
16-29. It is interesting that the extensive account of the death of John the Baptist is inserted here in the Gospel narrative. The reason is St. John the Baptist's special relevance in the history of salvation: he is the Precursor, entrusted with the task of preparing the way for the Messiah. Besides, John the Baptist had a great reputation among the people: they believed him to be a prophet (Mark 11:32); some even thought he was the Messiah (Luke 3:15; John 1:20); and they flocked to him from many places (Mark 1:5). Jesus Himself said: "Among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist" (Matthew 11:11). Later, the Apostle St. John will speak of him in the Gospel: "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John" (John 1:6); but the sacred text points out that, despite this, he was not the light, but rather the witness to the light (John 1: 6-8). More correctly, he was the lamp carrying the light (John 5:35). We are told here that he was a righteous man and preached to everyone what had to be preached: he had a word for people at large, for publicans, for soldiers (Luke 3:10-14); for Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 3:7-12); for King Herod himself (Mark 6:18-20). This humble, upright and austere man paid with his life for the witness he bore to Jesus the Messiah (John 1:29 and 36-37).
26. Oaths and promises immoral in content should never be made, and, if made, should never be kept. This is the teaching of the Church, which is summed up in the "St. Pius X Catechism", 383, in the following way: "Are we obliged to keep oaths we have sworn to do unjust and unlawful things? Not only are we not obliged: we sin by making such oaths, for they are prohibited by the Law of God or of the Church."
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Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and by Scepter Publishers in the United States. We encourage readers to purchase The Navarre Bible for personal study. See Scepter Publishers for details.
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