FRIDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Mark 6:14-29) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him.” (Mk 6:20)

FIRST READING - 13:1-8

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews

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.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 6:14-29

From the Gospel according to Mark

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.

FRIDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Mark 6:14-29)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

In today's Word of God, God tells all mankind about the righteous lifestyle of Saint John the Baptist, which caused him to endure many trials and difficulties in his life on this earth; and God also tells about the lifestyle of a king who is the leader of the people, but is unjust, impure, and immoral, and how he will have to answer before God the Father.

God the Father does not want humankind to fall into the lifestyles of passion, sin, worldliness, pretense, and hypocrisy that Satan has been tempting humanity with. God the Father wants humans to be alert in all places and at all times. Be aware of our words, actions, and deeds; do not let Satan interfere, or tempt us to commit sins that displease God the Father like the image of King Herod. Because of worldly passions, bad habits, fame, and just because of a promise to a person, King Herod was not alert, fell into Satan's trap and temptation, and disobeyed God's will: killing God the Father's great prophet who was very just, righteous, chaste, pure, good, and holy, that person is Saint John the Baptist. This event is recounted in the Gospel to teach humanity a lesson.

-Be aware of our words and actions. -Do not be infatuated with or greedy for worldly benefits; do not be so passionate about worldly fame and power that we lose our humanity.

-Return to God the Father, abandon the path of sin, and reconcile with Him. God also calls on His disciples in today's world to follow the example of Saint John the Baptist's courage: despite facing difficulties, challenges, being persecuted, killed, and condemned, he continues to live righteously, holy, faithfully, and loyal to the mission entrusted to him by God the Father; through that, God gives him the life of the Kingdom of Heaven, and is praised by God the Father: a great prophet of God, going before to prepare the way for the Savior.

Today, when the disciples go out to do missionary work for God, bringing God to all mankind, do not be afraid. Do not retreat before the difficulties, challenges, and persecutions brought by the world.

Remember: God is the One who can save both bodies and souls, but mankind or the world cannot bring us eternal life. Therefore, trust, obey, and follow the will of God; courageously live and bear witness to God right here on earth; and fulfill our duty as a prophet of God the Father.

Thanks be to God. Amen.