READINGS:
1 R : SIR 47 :2 - 13.
Ps 17 : 31, 47& 50, 51
Gos : MK 6 : 14 - 29.
THE FIRST READING IS A KIND OF EULOGY OF KING DAVID.
NOTE THE FACT THAT HIS SIN IS NOT HIGHLIGHTED BECAUSE HE HAD ACCEPTED IT AS SOON AS PROPHET NATHAN HAD TOLD HIM.
THERE IS A LESSON IN THIS:
IF YOU ARE NOT ADAMANTLY ATTACHED TO YOUR SINS, GOD AS WELL AS PEOPLE HAVE NO REASON TO HIGHLIGHT.
CONTRAST THIS WITH OTHER KINGS LIKE AHAJ ETC WHO WERE HARDENED SINNERS.
WHAT DOES IT IMPLY ?
IF THE FAT IN YOUR BODY IS HARDENED YOU TAKE MORE WEEKS TO " BURN IT ", BY DIET AND EXERCISE.
SIMILARLY THE HARDENED YOU ARE, ENTRENCHED YOU ARE IN SIN YOU NEED TO COME OUT OF IT WITH PENANCE, PRAYER AND ALMS GIVING.
OTHERWISE REFLECT AS TO WHAT HAPPENED TO KING HEROD.
EVEN THOUGH HE KNEW THAT JOHN THE BAPTIZER, WAS RIGHT HE COULD NOT ACHIEVE RIGHTEOUSNESS. HE WENT ON IN HIS SIN AND FINALLY HAD THE BLOOD OF A SAINT ON HIS HANDS, THOUGH NOT ON HIS MAKING.
LESSON: KEEP WORKING ON GRACE LIKE DAVID AND DON'T GET ENTRENCHED IN EVIL LIE HEROD.
