God is our ultimate Helper

God is our ultimate Helper

By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK

Sirach 47:2-13, Mk 6:14-29. Today's first reading indicates the supportive presence of God through David’s long career, from his youth when he battled the Philistine giant, Goliath and later when as king he was able to widen the borders of Israel and overcome all their enemies. The text also tells of David’s sin and his repentance; but his focus in mainly positive, recalling how devoutly David promoted divine worship with the sweet melody of his Psalms. God was ever-present, as Helper, Ultimate Forgiver, Inspirer of Ideals, enabling the fulfilment of the Divine Will in David’s life.

That benign view of kingship contrasts starkly with today's Gospel account of the execution of John the Baptist by the order of Herod, when his step-daughter presented her mother with her enemy’s head on a platter. No wonder the memory of John haunted Herod in his sleep, so that he imagined Jesus as John raised from the dead. The sumptuous banquet in Herod’s palace for his birthday became a banquet of death. Today's Gospel follows this scene with the story of Jesus feeding the people in the desert. He contrasts Herod’s banquet of death with banquet of life organised by Jesus. John the Baptist was a good and holy man, who bravely spoke up for God’s truth and for this he was killed. Jesus was crucified for the same reason, for speaking out without fear against injustice and oppression. Every life calls for the kind of courage shown by John and Jesus. The classic list of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit includes “fortitude” or courage. Today, more than ever, we need the help of Holy Spirit in order to hold to the values of Jesus. A courageous faith is not arrogant, but it is firm and enduring.

May the Lord grant us the kind of faithfulness that shaped the life and death of John the Baptist and Jesus so that we can always speak against injustice and oppression without fear! Amen!! Good morning and and a glorious day!!!

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