By Charles Muchiri
Friday
of the Forth week in Ordinary Time
Readings
for Mass
First
Reading: Sirach
47: 2-11
Responsorial
Psalms: Psalms
18: 31, 47, 50, 51
Gospel: Mark 6: 14-29
 |
| Christ crucified |
Today’s
first reading seems to summarize everything about King David, from the boy who
slew the giant Philistine with a simple sling and a stone to the conqueror of
nations.
A
man who had the world dancing to his drum beats “He made sport of lions as
though they were kids, and of bears, like lambs of the flock.” (Sirach 47: 3)
But
there is more to this Great King.
Number
one: “With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of
praise. With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had his praises sung;”
(Sirach 47: 8)
Two:
“The LORD forgave him his sins and exalted his strength forever” (Sirach 47: 11)
Any
time that he sinned, this is a King who always knew how to go back to God in
absolute contriteness.
And
these two attributes sets King David way apart.
First-track
to the day’s Gospel, and we are treated to another breed of a king: A different
King all together, King Herod.
This
is a man whom we hear took his brother’s wife – Herodias, against the approval
of John the Baptist.
He
is a man who is quick to make public oaths and offer promises, like he does to
Herodias’ daughter after her exemplary dance.
And
the later sees him yield to killing a man whom he reveres much. “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.”
(Mark 6: 20)
But
even more resounding today is the question of just who Jesus really is. It is a
theme that reverberates well between the lines of today’s reading.
Everyone
is confused. Some people think that Jesus is a reincarnation of Prophet Elijah.
Others (the contemptuous type) would just wish to write Him off, but at least
they also do appreciate that He is indeed a prophet, albeit like any other
prophet.
But
there are some other people who think that Jesus is actually John the Baptist
who has resurrected from the dead.
Amongst
these people who think that He is a re-embodiment of John the Baptist, is
Herod.
And
it is against this backdrop of Herod’s assumption, fear and guilt that the
Gospel is set.
In
our lives today, who is Jesus? Like King David identifies God in today’s Psalms,
as his God, and his salvation; is Jesus your God and your Salvation?
/Follow
this writer on Twitter: @muchirimuchoki/
Comments
Post a Comment