Dynasty and Decision

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to awareness of the culture of control and false praise that lead us to poor decisions.

Constitutional Decisions

The Reading from the Book of Sirach presents David as a type of Greek hero.

* [47:1–11] An idealized portrait of David; cf. 1 Chronicles. (Sirach, CHAPTER 47 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 18 has two parallel reports of rescue and a conclusion.

* [Psalm 18] A royal thanksgiving for a military victory, duplicated in 2 Sm 22. Thanksgiving Psalms are in essence reports of divine rescue. The Psalm has two parallel reports of rescue, the first told from a heavenly perspective (Ps 18:5–20), and the second from an earthly perspective (Ps 18:36–46). The first report adapts old mythic language of a cosmic battle between sea and rainstorm in order to depict God’s rescue of the Israelite king from his enemies. Each report has a short hymnic introduction (Ps 18:2–4, 32–36) and conclusion (Ps 18:21–31, 47–50). (Psalms, PSALM 18 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark presents The Death of John the Baptist.

* [6:14–16] The various opinions about Jesus anticipate the theme of his identity that reaches its climax in Mk 8:27–30.

* [6:14] King Herod: see note on Mt 14:1.

* [6:17–29] Similarities are to be noted between Mark’s account of the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist in this pericope, and that of the passion of Jesus (Mk 15:1–47). Herod and Pilate, each in turn, acknowledges the holiness of life of one over whom he unjustly exercises the power of condemnation and death (Mk 6:26–27; 15:9–10, 14–15). The hatred of Herodias toward John parallels that of the Jewish leaders toward Jesus. After the deaths of John and of Jesus, well-disposed persons request the bodies of the victims of Herod and of Pilate in turn to give them respectful burial (Mk 6:29; 15:45–46).

* [6:19] Herodias: see note on Mt 14:3. (Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Jay Carney comments that even though he does not wish to kill John, Herod fears losing honor among the “leading men of Galilee”; reneging on a boastful oath would undermine his social status as a political “big man”; his celebratory banquet reeks of ostentatious wealth. He created a social situation in which he had “no other choice” than to kill John the Baptist.

But this, of course, is a rationalization. Herod stood at the apex of a social structure of sin that could not tolerate the prophetic challenges of John the Baptist’s of the world. In my own life, I, too, can justify many things from the place where I stand, or the prestige I need to protect, or my fears of losing face in front of family, friends, or colleagues. But this does not vacate my ethical and spiritual responsibility. For Ignatius, we may not always act out of a God-centered interior freedom, but we are still responsible moral agents. (Carney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Weakness of the Tyrant and the Power of the Beheaded,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"Note well the weakness of the tyrant compared to the power of the one in prison. Herod was not strong enough to silence his own tongue. Having opened it, he opened up countless other mouths in its place and with its help. As for John, he immediately inspired fear in Herod after his murder - for fear was disturbing Herod's conscience to such an extent that he believed John had been raised from the dead and was performing miracles (Mark 6:14-16)! In our own day and through all future time, throughout all the world, John continues to refute Herod, both through himself and through others. For each person repeatedly reading this Gospel says: 'It is not lawful for you to have the wife of Philip your brother' (Mark 6:18). And even apart from reading the Gospel, in assemblies and meetings at home or in the market, in every place... even to the very ends of the earth, you will hear this voice and see that righteous man even now still crying out, resounding loudly, reproving the evil of the tyrant. He will never be silenced nor the reproof at all weakened by the passing of time." (excerpt from ON THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD 22.8-9) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Sirach 47:2-11 comments that in the same way that the people of Israel used the psalms in both personal and liturgical prayer, we can use them in our daily prayer. When we turn away from God and need to ask for his mercy, prayers like Psalms 6 and 51 can help us to acknowledge our sin and offer us words to express our repentance to the Lord. And when we want to thank God and praise him for all his blessings, we can pray today’s psalm, for example, or any number of others that will inspire us to extol our faithful Lord.

So let the psalms inspire you with words of praise and thanksgiving. Let them fill your heart with the same joy that King David had. Today, you can join him and sing:

“Extolled be God my savior! (Psalm 18:47)” (Meditation on Sirach 47:2-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the theme of Sirach, written in the time when Greeks had conquered Israel. The traditions of Jews are presented as good as Greek traditions. and Jewish heroes were just as good too. Sirach speaks about the history of David trying to show a man of God. He avoids the sins that David had committed and as in Chronicles that tells history as it should have happened. King Herod tries to figure out who the Baptist is. John condemned the marriage of Herod and Herotius hated John the Baptist and sought the death of the Baptist. It is a warning to maintain the value of people over words. Friar Jude notes the disciples of John bury his body, but the “head” shows up in several places and a lot of things regarding “relics” are not as clear as they should be.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces The Francis Factor, and activist Shane Claiborne who told a story about how his community’s study of Jubilee and their unexpected receipt of $10,000 in a legal settlement led to a creative action on Wall Street. 

Let’s have a Jubilee party and let’s do it on Wall Street.” We invited a bunch of homeless folks from all over New York, many of them friends, and we said, “Hey, we’re going to go to Wall Street and we’re going to give away the money that we won in a lawsuit.

We preached it that morning and then Sister Margaret [a Catholic sister] announced the Jubilee, blew the ram’s horn, and money started pouring out everywhere. I mean, we had people on the balconies with paper money. They start pouring it out…. It was beautiful. They’re singing. This one … street sweeper, he’s got his dustpan filled with money. He’s like, “It is a good day at work. Hallelujah!” Another guy grabs some money off the street and he said, “Now I can get the prescription I needed. Thank you.” We even had folks from inside Wall Street that heard about what was happening. They said, “We heard that there’s more fun happening out here, so we’re here.” One guy just said, “I want to start getting bagels and giving them out,” and he did. It was contagious….

I think that in the end, our goal is not to create enemies but is actually to courageously proclaim the vision of God that is so big that everyone is welcome. But it also means, as Desmond Tutu says, that those who have been oppressed are free from oppression, and those who have done the oppressing are free from being the oppressor, that everyone is set free. [1] That’s the invitation for us. (Rohr, n.d.)

Catholic theologian David Deane talks with Jeff Douglas, on CBC Mainstreet, about why so many American Christians support US President Donald Trump in spite of his sins. Deane cites the Biblical King David as a source of the American belief that good can come from evil actions by our leaders.

We ask the Spirit to enhance our awareness of the paths of oppression, greed, and violence that may be subtle in our culture as we proclaim Jesus' love and freedom for all.

References

Carney, J. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved February 6, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-february-6-2026 

Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 6, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/6? 

Meditation on Sirach 47:2-11. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved February 6, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/02/06/1495019/ 

Psalms, PSALM 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 6, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/18?31 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved February 6, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/jubilee-action-on-wall-street/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Herod's Guilty Conscience. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 6, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Sirach, CHAPTER 47 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 6, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/47?2 

Prophetic Powers

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on our understanding of the gift of prophecy in our tradition and in our relationship with others.

Place of the Prophets

The Reading from the Book of Sirach expresses the importance of Jewish heroes to subjects of Greek culture. 

* [48:11] Verse 11b is not extant in the Hebrew; it is represented in the Greek tradition by “for we too shall certainly live.” But this can hardly be the original reading. (“Sirach, CHAPTER 48 | USCCB,” n.d.)

Psalm 80 is a lament in time of military defeat.

* [Psalm 80] A community lament in time of military defeat. Using the familiar image of Israel as a vineyard, the people complain that God has broken down the wall protecting the once splendid vine brought from Egypt (Ps 80:9–14). They pray that God will again turn to them and use the Davidic king to lead them to victory (Ps 80:15–19). (“Psalms, PSALM 80 | USCCB,” n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus addresses the Coming of Elijah.

* [17:9–13] In response to the disciples’ question about the expected return of Elijah, Jesus interprets the mission of the Baptist as the fulfillment of that expectation. But that was not suspected by those who opposed and finally killed him, and Jesus predicts a similar fate for himself.

* [17:9] The vision: Matthew alone uses this word to describe the transfiguration. Until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead: only in the light of Jesus’ resurrection can the meaning of his life and mission be truly understood; until then no testimony to the vision will lead people to faith.

* [17:10] See notes on Mt 3:4; 16:14.

* [17:11–12] The preceding question and this answer may reflect later controversy with Jews who objected to the Christian claims for Jesus that Elijah had not yet come.

* [17:13] See Mt 11:14. (“Matthew, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB,” n.d.)

Suzanne Braddock comments that Jesus patiently, lovingly prepares her for the reality of necessary suffering, times of his seeming absence, the necessary hardships of life. The desert. Yet she still clings to the memory of the blessing of his presence and does not surrender totally to the times of darkness, but rather hopes in the remembrance of his triumph, his resurrection, his promises be with her always.

God’s promise to sing for me as one sings at festivals, to tenderly place me at his cheek as one does a child, to write my name on the palm of his hand. Yes, there will be suffering, but I cling to him and hope that eventually the clouds will part and reveal him. I will know him as he is.

How often I fail to recognize Jesus in the people I was raised to turn away from, in the crosses of my life, in the invitations to give of my time, talent, such as it is, my treasure. I fail to recognize him in the times of darkness and his seeming absence.

Maybe that darkness is but the shadow cast by his total closeness, like the hen who gathers her chicks in the shadow of her wings. (Braddock, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “John fulfills Elijah's prophetic ministry,” by John Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D.

"They did not know this from the Scriptures, but the scribes used to tell them, and this saying was reported among the ignorant crowd, as also about Christ. Therefore the Samaritan woman also said, 'The Messiah is coming; when he comes, he will show us all things' (John 4:25). And they themselves asked John, 'Are you Elijah or the prophet?' (John 1:21). For this opinion was strong, as I said, both the one about Christ and the one about Elijah, but they did not interpret it as it should have been. For the Scriptures speak of two comings of Christ, both this one that has taken place and the future one. Paul spoke of these when he said, 'For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright and godly lives in this world' (Titus 2:11-12).

"Behold the first advent, and listen to how he declares the coming advent: 'Awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ' (Titus 2:13). The prophets also mention both advents; of the one that is second they say that Elijah will be the forerunner; John was forerunner of the first, John whom Christ also called by the name Elijah, not because he was Elijah but because he was fulfilling Elijah's ministry. For just as Elijah will be the forerunner of the second advent, so John was of the first. But the scribes, confusing these things and perverting the people, mentioned that coming alone, the second one, to the people, and said, 'If this is the Christ, Elijah ought to have come first.' That is why the disciples also say, 'Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?'" (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 57.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 17:9-13 comments that John told the people to be alert because a new outpouring was on the horizon. But he didn’t just alert them; he sought to prepare them for it. It’s one thing to pay attention to the signs pointing to Jesus’ arrival. But it was another thing altogether to humble themselves and to repent so that they could be ready to receive him when he came.

How are you preparing for the coming of the Messiah? And not just for the child Jesus’ coming on Christmas, but for the Lord Jesus’ coming into your heart today? Every day can be a day of grace. Every day can bring a new outpouring of the Spirit: a new outpouring of forgiveness, perhaps, or a fresh awareness of God’s love or a renewed sense of purpose and mission. This is why daily prayer is so important. So come humbly before the Lord today—and every day—and listen for his Spirit’s voice. It’s the best way to “prepare the way of the Lord!”

“Lord, help me open my heart to your grace today!” (“Meditation on Matthew 17:9-13,” 2025)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Sirach, one of the last Hebrew Testament texts, declares Jewish heroes as great as Greek heroes. The conquering Greeks were pushing Hellenistic ideas and Sirach responded by recalling a series of Jewish heroes including Elijah who called a drought upon Israel reflecting the principle of “as the sin, so the punishment.” And Elijah brought down fire and was carried to the heavens in a fiery chariot. Friar Jude notes that Jesus speaks of the Baptist as the new Elijah who does as promised by Elijah, bring families back together.

Fr. Mike Schmitz outlines Paul’s trial before King Agrippa and his efforts to use his conversion story to convert those hearing his case. He also leads us through the first half of Ephesians, emphasizing Paul’s main theme of unity in the spirit. Today’s readings are from Acts 26, Ephesians 1-3, and Proverbs 29:18-21.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces James Finley and Mirabai Starr who read “Song of the Soul” or “Noche Oscura” by John of the Cross. He invites us to use the links below to listen or to read this poem shared in both English and Spanish and follow these simple instructions for lectio or audio divina.

Listen or read the first time and allow the sound and images of the poem to wash over you.

Listen or read a second time and allow your attention to be drawn to a word or phrase. Let it speak to you. Pray to God or journal about what it might mean to you.

Listen or read a third time. Sit in silence with God for as long as you feel drawn. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the description “as the sin so the punishment” credited to Elijah and seek enlightenment of the Spirit to reveal action to avoid sin and the related punishment.

References

Braddock, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 13, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-13-2025 

Matthew, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 13, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/17?9 

Meditation on Matthew 17:9-13. (2025, December 13). Word Among Us. https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/13/1444943/ 

Psalms, PSALM 80 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 13, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/80?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 13, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-hidden-work-of-grace-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Elijah Must First Come. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 13, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Sirach, CHAPTER 48 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 13, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/48?1