Pentecost VII

July 12, 2015

Mark 6:14-29

Commentary:  This Sunday’s readings give the preacher the opportunity to speak about the core teachings of the Hebrew prophets.  John the Baptizer and Jesus do not come as the first prophets to speak out God’s message – they stand in a long procession of prophets.

Prophets were not fortune tellers predicting the Messiah. Rather prophets embodied God’s message of justice and peace.  They sought justice for the marginalized and oppressed in their day. 

Amos preaches against the tremendous inequity between the wealthy and the poor.  John the Baptizer speaks the truth to power.  Jesus declares the ‘Year of Jubilee.’

The Gospel appointed for this Sunday tells us that you can kill the messenger, but you cannot silence the message.

Following the text are two reflections.  One by Episcopal Priest, Fr. Malcolm Boyd followed by my ‘A Poem a Sunday.’

Blessings as you worship with your faith community this Sunday.

A reading from the Gospel according to St. Mark:

¹⁴King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” ¹⁵But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” ¹⁶But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

¹⁷For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. ¹⁸For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” ¹⁹And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, ²⁰for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 

²¹But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. ²²When his daughter Herodias 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 give it.” ²³And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” ²⁴She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” ²⁵Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” ²⁶The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 

²⁷Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, ²⁸brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. ²⁹When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Reflection #1:

To a Prophet Dying Young by Malcolm Boyd

It wasn’t easy knowing you, or even hearing you.  I felt, in fact, that you were often strong-willed, uncharitable, and impolite.

But I saw you pouring out your life.  I resented that, too, as I safely clutched my own.  But I did see you, though sometimes I did not want to know it.

Yes, I heard the criticism – and I joined in.  At times I thought I hated you, because what you said and did cut so painfully against my mask, my security, my being. 

I miss you very much.  Thank you for who you were and whose you were.  You wouldn’t want me to wish you “peace,” and I could never think of you in any misalliance with a false truce and easy compromise.

But I do, with all my heart, wish you peace with a deep restlessness, a cock crowing at dawn to announce battle, and love to heal the necessary wounds.

Malcolm Boyd:  from his book Free to Live, Free to Die.

Reflection #2:

Prelude to the Passion

Water trickles down

so many foreheads

crowds in the river

wait their turn.

Scantily clad P. K.

cries out on Jordan’s bank:

“Repent! Messiah is here

- a new day, a new way.”

“Turn around King Herod,

repent your adultery,

quit your mistress

chart a new course.”

Jailed by jolly Herod

who is smitten by J.B.

Mistress in revenge

plots to see him silenced.

Birthday gift - a dance

Puts Herod in a trance

The daughter of Herodias

gets a promised glance:

“Anything, even my Kingdom,

young dancer, anything!”

She approaches her mother

after this seductive fling.

“The head of J.B.

on a platter of silver!

The Prophet will be silenced

no longer at the river.”

Prelude to passion

now Jesus comes forth.

This prophet promising

God’s Kingdom on earth.

So post-modern church

will you bring out the silver

and lose your head

for Christ and the Kingdom?

July 7. 2015 - A Poem a Sunday / Kenn Storck