A Poem a Sunday

Proper 10B/Ordinary 15B/Pentecost 8

July 15, 2018
(Scroll down: there are two Reflections)

St. Mark 6:14-29 - NRSV

The Death of John the Baptist

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

17 For 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[c] had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; [d] and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Herodias[e] 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.” 23 And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25 Immediately 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.”

26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s[f] head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Footnotes:

[a] Mark 6:14 Gk his

[b] Mark 6:14 Other ancient authorities read He was

[c] Mark 6:17 Gk he

[d] Mark 6:20 Other ancient authorities read he did many things

[e] Mark 6:22 Other ancient authorities read the daughter of Herodias herself

[f] Mark 6:27 Gk his

A Poem a Sunday

Pentecost 8

It Is A Prophet

John is dead

a silver platter

holds his head

and we remain

in fear and dread

of bleeding heart

tyrants.

Oh, that the constellations

might be rewoven

and time turned back

and people awaken

to the Prophet’s voice

and heed be taken.

Is there no one

to proclaim justice?

No voice from the desert

exposing vices?

Are ears deaf

to the king’s devices?

Kill the Prophet,

but never the message.

Another gives voice

and will persuade

a faithful few

will not be assuaged.

Copyright 2018 @A Poem a Sunday

By Kenneth Storck

May be used with permission

kennstorck@gmail.com

(Scroll down for Reflection #2)

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.