Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
http://www.usccb.org/nab/020306.shtml
Reflection:
The first thing I notice about the readings for Friday is the selection was made with David's kingship being affirmed (Sir 47;2-11) coupled with the death of John the Baptist. There must have been a family tie there since Jesus was from the line of David and John was his cousin. I just mention that because I find it interesting. I don't really grasp a hard connection.
John, as we have seen, is the precursor of Christ. He prefigures Jesus in a variety of ways. He becomes famous for proclaiming a radical view of the Hebrew faith. He is assumed by others to be the messiah or one of the other prophets. Today we hear he even physically resembled Jesus. He gains the hatred of those in power, namely Herod, and he dies a martyrs death.
What message is there to be drawn from this reading? (we should also look at Matthew 14:1-12 and Luke 9:7-9) It is, first of all interesting to note that in Marks Gospel the story of Johns death is a flash back. At the beginning of todays Gospel we note that Herod hears about Jesus and is concerned because he thinks it might be John raised from the dead. It would seem that Heord may have believed that John was indeed the messiah. Is it any wonder that later, when Jesus is brought before him for judgment, he sends him back to Pilot?
We hear through the story that Herod's life is one that violates much of the moral code we are given through scripture. We see in Herods daughter, (named elsewhere as Salome) how pride conspires to cause Herod to do something he did not want to do.
In fact, the entire life of Herod reported through both scripture and ancient historians is an example of what a life style of hedonism and humanism can bring, unhappiness, lonliness, and constant turmoil. We contrast this with a life lived in harmony with the Lord - happiness, solidarity, and peace. Perhaps that is the message.
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
http://www.usccb.org/nab/020306.shtml
Reflection:
The first thing I notice about the readings for Friday is the selection was made with David's kingship being affirmed (Sir 47;2-11) coupled with the death of John the Baptist. There must have been a family tie there since Jesus was from the line of David and John was his cousin. I just mention that because I find it interesting. I don't really grasp a hard connection.
John, as we have seen, is the precursor of Christ. He prefigures Jesus in a variety of ways. He becomes famous for proclaiming a radical view of the Hebrew faith. He is assumed by others to be the messiah or one of the other prophets. Today we hear he even physically resembled Jesus. He gains the hatred of those in power, namely Herod, and he dies a martyrs death.
What message is there to be drawn from this reading? (we should also look at Matthew 14:1-12 and Luke 9:7-9) It is, first of all interesting to note that in Marks Gospel the story of Johns death is a flash back. At the beginning of todays Gospel we note that Herod hears about Jesus and is concerned because he thinks it might be John raised from the dead. It would seem that Heord may have believed that John was indeed the messiah. Is it any wonder that later, when Jesus is brought before him for judgment, he sends him back to Pilot?
We hear through the story that Herod's life is one that violates much of the moral code we are given through scripture. We see in Herods daughter, (named elsewhere as Salome) how pride conspires to cause Herod to do something he did not want to do.
In fact, the entire life of Herod reported through both scripture and ancient historians is an example of what a life style of hedonism and humanism can bring, unhappiness, lonliness, and constant turmoil. We contrast this with a life lived in harmony with the Lord - happiness, solidarity, and peace. Perhaps that is the message.
posted by Deacon Jim | 12:55 PM
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