SIRACH 47: 2 – 11

As the fat is selected from the peace offering, so David was selected from the sons of Israel. He played with lions as with young goats, and with bears as with lambs of the flock. 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? 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. So they glorified him for his ten thousands, and praised him for the blessings of the Lord, when the glorious diadem was bestowed upon him. For he wiped out his enemies on every side, and annihilated his adversaries the Philistines; he crushed their power even to this day. 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. He placed singers before the altar, to make sweet melody with their voices. He gave beauty to the feasts, and arranged their times throughout the year, while they praised God’s holy name, and the sanctuary resounded from early morning. 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.

The Word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 18: 31, 47, 50, 51 (R) 47b

R/. Blest be the God of my salvation!

As for God, his way is blameless;
the word of the Lord is pure.
He indeed is the shield of all who trust in him. R/.

The Lord lives, and blest be my Rock!
May the God of my salvation be exalted.
So I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
to your name will I sing a psalm. R/.

The LORD gives great victories to his king,
and shows merciful love for his anointed,
for David and his seed forever. R/.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION.
Luke 8: 15.

Alleluia.
Blessed are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Alleluia

GOSPEL
MARK 6: 14 – 29

At that time: King Herod heard of Jesus; for his name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 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. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 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. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’ 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.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 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 Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head in. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

The Gospel of the Lord.
REFLECTION: The Effects of a Guilty Conscience
February 4, 2022

Jesus’ fame had become widespread among the people and many were talking about Him. Some thought He was John the Baptist raised from the dead, others thought He was Elijah the prophet, others simply thought He was a new prophet. They were all trying to figure out who this incredible man was who spoke with such wisdom and authority.

It’s interesting to note that Herod, who had beheaded John the Baptist, immediately concluded that Jesus must be John raised from the dead. He speaks this conviction not so much as only a hunch, but as if he knew it to be a fact. This is his definitive conclusion about Jesus. Why does Herod arrive at this mistaken conviction?

Of course we do not know for certain why Herod arrived at this conviction, but we can speculate and arrive at a likely conclusion. It appears that Herod felt very guilty about beheading John the Baptist and this guilt led him to this conclusion.

Oftentimes, when someone sins, as Herod did, and feels deep guilt without repenting of that sin, there arises various unhealthy effects such as a certain paranoid thinking process. Herod is most likely paranoid, and he most likely is so as a result of his sin and his refusal to repent of his sin.

We can see this same tendency within all of us. The refusal to repent of our sins often causes many other problems in our lives. Unrepented sin can cause paranoid thinking, anger, self-justification and many other emotional and psychological issues. Sin, though spiritual in nature, has an effect upon our whole person which is what we have a glimpse of in the person of Herod. This is a good lesson for all of us.

Reflect, today, upon any similar tendencies you have in your life. Do you find yourself getting paranoid about what others say or do? Do you enter into a self-justification of your actions? Do you get angry and project that anger on others who do not deserve it? Reflect upon any of these tendencies you see and then look deeper at the source of them. If you see that the root cause of these unhealthy tendencies is some unrepented sin in your own life, then repent of it honestly and completely so that our Lord can free you of the effects of sin.

PRAYER:
Most gentle Lord, I do repent of all sin. I pray that I may see my sin honestly and sincerely. And as I see my sin, help me to confess it to You so that I may be free not only of the burden of my sin, but also of the effects of that burden. Jesus, I trust in You.https://masvingomirror.com