First Reading

Reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus

Sirácides 47, 2-11

Like the choice fat for sacrifices,
so was David chosen from the sons of Israel.
He played with lions as if they were kids,
and with bears, as if they were lambs.
Still a youth, he slew the giant
and washed away the disgrace of his people:
he whirled the sling,
and with a stone felled the pride of Goliath.
Because he called upon the Most High God,
he gave strength to his arm
to annihilate the mighty warrior
and restore the honor of his people.
Therefore they sang hymns
to his victory over ten thousand enemies,
and blessed the Lord in the name of the Lord.

Already as king,
he fought with all his enemies and defeated them.
He annihilated the Philistines
and broke their power forever.

For all his successes he gave thanks to the Most High God
and glorified him.
He loved his Creator with all his soul
and sang praises to him.

He established singers for the service of the altar,
who with their voices made the songs harmonious.
He celebrated the festivals with splendor
and organized the cycle of solemnities.
The sanctuary resounded from dawn
with praises to the name of the Lord.

The Lord forgave him his sins
and consolidated his power forever.
He promised him a perpetual dynasty
and gave him a glorious throne in Israel.
For his merits a wise son succeeded him,
who lived in peace:

Solomon was king in peaceful times,
because God pacified his borders;
he built a temple to the Lord
and dedicated an eternal sanctuary.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Mark 

Marcos 6, 14-29

At that time, as the fame of Jesus had spread so much, it came to the ears of King Herod the rumor that John the Baptist had risen and his powers were at work in Jesus. Others said he was Elijah; and others, that he was a prophet, like the ancient ones. But Herod insisted: “It is John, whom I beheaded, and he has risen.”

Herod had sent to arrest John and had put him in chains in prison. Herod had married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, and John said to him: “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” For this reason Herod had him imprisoned.

Herodias bore him a grudge for this 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 speak, he was much perplexed; yet he liked to listen to him.

The opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers, his officers, and the leaders of Galilee. The daughter of Herodias danced during the feast and pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl: “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” And he swore to her many times: “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.”

She went and asked her mother: “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied: “The head of John the Baptist.” She immediately returned to the king and said: “I want you to give me right now, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist.”

The king became very sad, but because of his oaths and the guests, he did not want to refuse the young girl, and immediately sent a guard and ordered him to bring John’s head. The guard went, beheaded him in the prison, brought the head on a platter, 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.