Theme: What will the next generation talk about us?
Scripture: Sir. 47:2-11; Ps. 18:31-47, 50,51; Mk. 6:14-29
We have two personalities who left behind legacy of their faith mentioned in today’s liturgy of the word. In the first reading from the book of Sirach, we are given a brief profile of King David. The author wants to tell his next generation about the story of David. David was chosen one of Israel. He played with lion and bear in his youth. He killed Goliath with the sling stone. Goliath was a skilled warrior but he defeated him. He crushed his pride. The women praised him for his victory. David assumed the royal power of Israel. He destroyed the Philistines. In everything, he thanked God. He sang before the altar. He celebrated feast with great solemnity. The lord forgave his sins. God established on him the rights of royalty. David pleased God in his life therefore his story is told this day to the children of Israel.
We have one more person in the Gospel, who pleased God. He was John the Baptist. When Jesus started getting famous, Herod thought John the Baptist came to life. John had condemned his illicit relationship with Herodias for she was his brother’s wife. Herod feared John because he was righteous and holy man. John was put in the prison for he spoke the truth. Herod also liked to listen to him. John’s martyrdom showed that he died for truth. You will be surprised to hear that there is a group called Mandeans who lived in present Iraq and different parts of the world. They follow the rules of St. John the Baptist. They are not Christians. They consider St. John the Baptist as their greatest and final teacher.
Like David and John the Baptist, each one of us are given a task to do in our lives. David had a task of shepherding his flock. John the Baptist had a task of giving baptism of repentance. They did it such a way that they left the legacy of faith in the history. Their stories are repeated today. David and St. John the Baptist had one thing in common. They always tried to please God in their lives. We are also given a task to do in this world. How do we do it? Are we pleasing God in our lives? Will the next generation repeat our stories of faith? Let us strive to keep our legacy of faith behind.
Fr. Alex D’Mello
