Sirach 47:2-11;Mark 6

Friday in the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – Year II
Readings on p. 793 and Antiphons on p. 773 of the Daily Missal.

Entrance Antiphon.

Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.

 

First Reading: Sirach 47:2-11

A reading from the Book of Sirach.

As the fat is selected from the peace offering,
so David was selected from the sons of Israel.
He played with lions as with young goats,
and with bears as with lambs of the flock.
In his youth did he not kill a giant,
and take away reproach from the people,
when he lifted his hand with a stone in the sling
and struck down the boasting of Goliath?
For he appealed to the Lord, the Most High,
and he gave him strength in his right hand
to slay a man mighty in war,
to exalt the power of his people.
So they glorified him for his ten thousands,
and praised him for the blessings of the Lord,
when the glorious diadem was bestowed upon him.
For he wiped out his enemies on every side,
and annihilated his adversaries the Philistines;
he crushed their power even to this day.
In all that he did, he gave thanks
to the Holy One, the Most High, with ascriptions of glory;
he sang praise with all his heart,
and he loved his Maker.
He placed singers before the altar,
to make sweet melody with their voices.
He gave beauty to the feasts,
and arranged their times throughout the year,
while they praised God’s holy name,
and the sanctuary resounded from early morning.
The Lord took away his sins,
and exalted his power for ever;
he gave him the covenant of kings
and a throne of glory in Israel.

The Word of the Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 18:31.47 & 50.51 (R. see 47b)

Let us now pray the Responsorial Psalm:

R/. Blest be the God of my salvation!

As for God, his way is blameless;
the word of the Lord is pure.
He indeed is the shield
of all who trust in him.

The Lord lives, and blest be my Rock!
May the God of my salvation be exalted,
So I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
to your name will I sing a psalm.

The Lord gives great victories to his king,
and shows merciful love for his anointed,
for David and his seed forever.

R/. Blest be the God of my salvation!

Please stand for the Gospel.

Alleluia, Alleluia.
Blessed are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Alleluia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gospel: Mark 6:14-29

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

At that time:
King Herod heard of Jesus;
for his name had become known.
Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead;
that is why these powers are at work in him.”
But others said, “It is Elijah.”
And others said, “It is a prophet,
like one of the prophets of old.”

But when Herod heard of it he said,
“John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

For Herod had sent and seized John,
and bound him in prison
for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife;
because he had married her.
For John said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
And Herodias had a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him.
But she could not, for Herod feared John,
knowing that he was a righteous and holy man,
and kept him safe.
When he heard him, he was much perplexed;
and yet he heard him gladly.

But an opportunity came
when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet
for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee.
For when Herodias’ daughter 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 grant it.”
And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you,
even half of my kingdom.”

And she went out, and said to her mother,
“What shall I ask?”

And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”

And she came in immediately with haste to the king,
and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once
the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

And the king was exceedingly sorry,
but because of his oaths and his guests,
he did not want to break his word to her.
And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard
and gave orders to bring his head in.
He went and beheaded him in the prison,
and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl,
and the girl gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard of it,
they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon.
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love, O Lord, let me not be put to shame, for I call on you.