Proper for the Memorial of St. Agatha
Biographical Information about St. Agatha
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| “The Martyrdom of St Agatha” by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, c. 1756 |
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Hebrews 13:1-8
Let brotherly love continue.
Do not neglect hospitality,
for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,
and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,
for you also are in the body.
Let marriage be honored among all
and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,
for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.
Let your life be free from love of money
but be content with what you have,
for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.
Thus we may say with confidence:
The Lord is my helper,
and I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.
Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
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Commentary on Heb 13:1-8
In this selection from Hebrews, the author turns from social and moral topics to doctrine. The community is reminded of the requirements of their faith, especially hospitality. In this passage: “through it some have unknowingly entertained angels (v. 2),” a clear reference is made to Abraham’s encounter (Genesis 18: 1-5), and Tobit’s meeting with Raphael (Tobit 5:4-9). Following the exhortation to remain unified, and cling to the Christian values of morality and generosity, the author assures them of God’s presence with them. And even though their original leaders have passed away, Jesus Christ is unchanging: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9abc
R. (1a) 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?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
For he will hide me in his abode
in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent,
he will set me high upon a rock.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
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Commentary on Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9abc
Psalm 27 is a hymn of praise with two distinct parts. This passage captures the two major themes of the song, hope in God’s mercy and complete trust in his goodness. The singer, speaking for the people, pleads with the Lord to be constantly with them and provide the bounty of faith they hope for.
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Gospel: Mark 6:14-29
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."
Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
"It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers,
and the leading men of Galilee.
His own daughter came in and performed a dance
that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
"Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you."
He even swore many things to her,
"I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom."
She went out and said to her mother,
"What shall I ask for?"
Her mother replied, "The head of John the Baptist."
The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request,
"I want you to give me at once on a platter
the head of John the Baptist."
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner
with orders to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter
and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
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Commentary on Mk 6:14-29
Mark’s account of the capture and execution of St. John the Baptist is presented in this pericope, or excerpt. We note the story has many similarities with Jesus’ encounter with Pilate later in the Gospel (Mark 15:1-47). Both Herod and Pilate acknowledge the holiness of the ones they are to put to death. In both cases following the executions, faithful followers insure the body is given a respectful burial. St. Matthew’s Gospel gives a more complete introduction of Herod and Herodias (see Matthew 14:1-3).
"Herod projects onto Jesus his bad conscience for the gruesome murder of John the Baptist, under circumstances that show the deep connection between tyrannical eros and wanton cruelty. The detail of the Baptist's head being brought to Herodias and her daughter on a platter (Matthew 14:11) makes of Herod's birthday feast a kind of satanic eucharist, where lust rules instead of self-sacrificial love and which links Herod, Herodias, her daughter, and their minions and guests in a communion of evil. For, do not all of these participate in Herod's sworn covenant, motivated by lust and resulting in murder?" [4]
The actual account presented here is done as a flashback, as Herod questions the identity of Jesus whose disciples have just been sent into his region with great authority.
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Reflection:
We are given the story of the execution of St. John the Baptist to contemplate in the Gospel, and recall how the great “Voice” faithfully played his role to the very end. He prefigured Christ from his birth, and now decreases so the Lord might increase (John 3:30). For us, his death points to the passion of Christ who, like St. John, is subjected to human cruelty and ultimate death on the cross. Unlike the “Voice,” the “Word” continues; we are adopted in his sacrifice and become heirs to the joys and sorrows of the path to the Father.
The author of Hebrews reminds us of that legacy of faith and obedience. He speaks to the Hebrew audience, whose original leaders have died, to be faithful to the example they provided. They have held true to the core of Christian teaching, which has faith, hope and love at its heart. King David reiterates this quest for faith in v.8 of Psalm 27. And even as we reflect upon the Hebrews message, we realize that all those who first read this letter have also passed on, as did those to whom the ancient text was handed on.
So many have gone before us in faith. We feel the weight of their gaze upon us as we struggle to follow their examples. It is this very sense of historical tradition that gives us added strength. Like a child doing their best to make their parents proud, even though their mother and father have passed away. We accept the scrutiny of our predecessors as righteous encouragement, and rededicate ourselves to living lives that will tell all those who meet us that the lineage from which we come has its roots in Christ. Indeed our actions should mark us clearly as belonging to him.
[4] Fire of Mercy Heart of the Word Volume II, Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA, © 2003 p.349.
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