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Friday, February 5, 2010, St. Agatha
Sirach 47:2-11, Psalm 18:31, 47, 50-51, Mark 6:14-29
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/020510.shtml
A TALE OF TWO KINGS
"With [David's] whole being he loved his Maker and daily had His praises
sung." —Sirach 47:8
For the past three weeks, we have read about King David in the readings
for Mass. Although David's relationship with the Lord gets a mixed review
elsewhere in the Old Testament, Sirach's summary of David's life contains
only the highest of praise. However, the other king in today's readings,
Herod, received nothing but bad press for his life.
History shows David to be a scoundrel who is at least Herod's equal, if
not his superior. David actually was more cruel in his dealings with
Uriah, husband of Bathsheba, than Herod was with John the Baptizer. At
least Herod listened to John with respect and fear (Mk 6:20). David not
only plotted in cold-blood to kill Uriah; he also exploited Uriah's great
loyalty and had him hand-deliver a letter containing his own death
sentence (2 Sm 11:14ff). David's lack of faith caused him to ignore the
wise counsel of his leaders and take a census of Israel. This disobedience
resulted in seventy- thousand Israelites being killed by a plague (2 Sm
24:2ff). David also committed many other sins and crimes.
Why then is David ultimately extolled while Herod is condemned? The
difference is in the repenting. David was quick to repent each time he had
sinned. He sinned greatly, but he repented greatly. "With his whole being
he loved his Maker" (Sir 47:8), and he worshipped God with abandon (2 Sm
6:14). "The Lord forgave him his sins" (Sir 47:11). "That is why [his]
many sins are forgiven — because of [his] great love" (Lk 7:47). Love the
Lord. Repent!
Prayer: Father, may I love You enough to repent in full.
Promise: "God's way is unerring, the promise of the Lord is fire-tried; He
is a Shield to all who take refuge in Him." —Ps 18:31
Praise: St. Agatha's last words before she died as a martyr are said to
have been: "Make me worthy to overcome the devil."
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
February 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, August 11, 2009
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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