A reading from the holy 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.”

King Herod seems certain he knows who Jesus is. Having beheaded John, Mark tells us that Herod was “deeply distressed,” so he must have felt that there would be grave consequences for his actions. In saying that John has been raised up from the dead, Herod professes a belief in the resurrection. Although he is aware that something extraordinary and supernatural is taking place, he scratches his head and is restlessly caught up in dramatic speculation, blinded to what is taking place before him in the coming of Jesus.

God, open my eyes to understand today’s Gospel. Herod, responsible for John the Baptist’s savage execution and blinded by sin, knew that something extraordinary was happening but couldn’t identify it. Give me the grace to get beyond my own blindness and recognize that it is You who are present throughout every moment of the day.

From today’s Responsorial Psalm: “The Lord is my light and my salvation. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? Your presence, O LORD, I seek.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

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"Hagia Sophia Jesus and John the Baptist Mosaic" flickr photo by Remember To Breathe https://flickr.com/photos/remembertobreathe/8005227913 shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND) license