Friday 3 February 2023
St Blaise; St Ansgar | Day of penance
Hebrews 13:1-8. The Lord is my light and my salvation – Psalm 26(27):1-3, 5, 8-9. Mark 6:14-29.
We are called to a world that is loving and giving
Today’s readings give us an insight into two different ways of living in the world – one is transactional, the other is giving.
In the Gospel reading, Herod is forced to kill John the Baptist after promising a favour to the daughter of Herodias. The customs of this world outweigh the lives of individuals. John’s head is brought to the girl on a platter – served up as if it’s an object to be traded, not a human life to be cherished.
In the reading from Hebrews, we see a different sort of transaction promised – one centred on hospitality, of treating others as we would treat ourselves, of honouring marriage bonds, and living free from the love of money. This second world is what beckons us as Christians.
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