They believed God. They challenged the crowd. They seemed to know that if the Lord was not pleased with them they would not enter into the Promised Land. Those who grumbled did not enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb and a new generation saw the fulfillment of God's promise. Has God called you to stand for a cause bigger than yourself?

Memorial of St. Agatha

Sirach 47:2-11

Psalm 18:31, 47 and 50, 51

M ark 6:14-29 King Herod heard of it; for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these  powers are at work in him." (15) But others said, "It is Eli'jah." 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 had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Hero'di-as, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married  her. (18) For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." (19) And Hero'di-as 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 kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he  heard him gladly. (21) But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. (22) For when Hero'di-as' 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." (23) And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." (24) And she went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the baptizer." (25) 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." (26) And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. (27) And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, (28) and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. (29) When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. 

Meditation by Maryanne Rouse

In her words:  “You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am—you alone.”

The Church commemorates St. Agatha today.  According to legend, St. Agatha lived and died in Sicily in the Third Century.  Having pledged herself to God, she spurned the advances of a lesser public official, though he had enough power to see that she was sent to a brothel.  When that did not result in her renunciation of God and embrace of him, he sent her to prison where she was subjected to a series of tortures, among them the removal of her breasts. St. Peter appeared, however, and healed her. It appears that this sequence of events has merited her being named a special intercessor for breast maladies, cancer and the like.

Because she was credited with quieting the eruption of Mount Etna , she is asked for protection against fire. She is one of a few saints named in the Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass.

Agatha has many characteristics with which it is difficult for us to identify.  For example: Different century; different country; different language; as a married person, a different commitment to God.

And yet . . .

As I reflect on her story, I find myself asking:  What is it I hold sacred enough to suffer and yes even die for?  Family, friends, and beliefs, I hope.  How do I choose to play out that valuing in my life?  Or, ouch! Does it appear that I am more committed to some of the things I own?  My “place” in the world?  Someone’s opinion of me?  My reputation?

The two readings for today bring forth two examples, John the Baptist’s of faith upheld, and David’s of betrayal with a later turning back to God. 

Today’s invitation may be to a truthful pondering:  What is our treasure?  What’s so precious that I cannot imagine being without it?  Where do our lives demonstrate our commitments? And if we don’t like the answer, what am I willing to do about it?

Supplementary Reading

Going Against the Flow

But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. ~ Numbers 14:10a