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From: Sirach 47:2-11

Nathan and David (Continuation)

[2] As the fat is selected from the peace offering, so David was selected from
the sons of Israel. [3] He played with lions as with young goats, and with bears
as with lambs of the flock. [4] In his youth did he not kill a giant, and take away
reproach from the people, when he lifted his hand with a stone in the sling and
struck down the boasting of Goliath? [5] For he appealed to the Lord, the Most
High, and he gave him strength in his right hand to slay a man mighty in war,
to exalt the power of his people. [6] So they glorified him for his ten thousands,
and praised him for the blessings of the Lord, when the glorious diadem was be-
stowed upon him. [7] For he wiped out his enemies on every side, and annihila-
ted his adversaries the Philistines; he crushed their power even to this day. [8] In
all that he did he gave thanks to the Holy One, the Most High, with ascriptions of
glory; he sang praise with all his heart, and he loved his Maker. [9] He placed sin-
gers before the altar, to make sweet melody with their voices. [10] He gave beau-
ty to the feasts, and arranged their times throughout the year while they praised
God’s holy name, and the sanctuary resounded from early morning. [11] The Lord
took away his sins, and exalted his power for ever; he gave him the covenant of
kings and a throne of glory in Israel.

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Commentary:

47:1-11. The eulogy of David recalls, above all, his love for God, which led him to
give thanks for his victories, acknowledging that it was the Lord who made it pos-
sible for him to achieve them (cf. vv. 6-8). One expression of that love was the
ends he went to to ensure the splendor of the liturgy (cf. vv. 9-10); in this he (as
Aaron before) anticipated the example that would later be set by the high priest
Simon. As a reward for the care he took over the liturgy, the Lord showed him
great kindness and took away his sins (v. 11).

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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.

From: Mark 6:14-29

Opinions About Jesus

[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

[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 Hero-
dias 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 Hero-
dias’ 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 im-
mediately 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 spe-
cial 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 ob-
liged: we sin by making such oaths, for they are prohibited by the Law of God or
of the Church.”

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.