DIVINE WHISPER with Fr. PiusRalph

FRIDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)

Mystery of the day: Sorrowful 

Celebration: Ss Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs (+ 1597). Paul Miki, a Japanese Jesuit, and his twenty five companions were martyred in Nagasaki, Japan. They were the first martyrs of East Asia to be canonized. They were killed simultaneously by being raised on crosses and then stabbed with spears. Their executioners were astounded upon seeing their joy at being associated to the Passion of Christ. Every Christian is to bear witness, in life and death, to the Faith.

📖Table of the Word

First Reading: Sirach 47:2–11

Gospel: Mark 6:14–29

Theme: Loving GOD beyond limit.

Reflection

Today’s table of the Word presents two songs woven together: a single of thanksgiving and a dirge. 

One of thanksgiving by David dancing before the Lord.

The other a singing of passion by John the Baptist dying for the truth.

One sings of praise. The other whispers of sacrifice. Yet both tell the same story: The two songs point to a life that belongs completely to God. Because whether in song or in suffering,

the true disciple remains faithful.

In the first reading, Ben Sira paints a beautiful portrait of David describing a heart that praised. Not first as a warrior, not as king, but as a worshipper. “With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had His praises sung.”

Imagine that. A king… making time to sing. A leader… kneeling in gratitude (cf. (Sirach 47:2–11)

David understood something essential: Victory does not come from strength alone. It comes from remembering who God is. So he filled the Temple with music, instruments, and thanksgiving. Because praise protects the heart. Praise keeps pride away. Praise reminds us: Everything is a gift.

However, the Church’s liturgy flows from this same spirit daily with praise which sanctifies life. As St. Augustine one of the influential Fathers of the Church say, “He who sings prays twice.” A grateful heart rarely falls far from God.

A similar scenario is found in the Gospel pericope with in the passion of St. John the Baptist who bore witness to the truth (cf. Mark 6:14–29). It was inside an event where mood suddenly changes. Music becomes silence. Celebration becomes imprisonment.

John the Baptist appears.

Faithful. Fearless. Honest.

And what does he do wrong?

He tells the truth.

Nothing more.

“It is not lawful…”

Truth costs him everything.

Herod knows John is righteous, yet lacks courage.

So fear wins.

And a prophet dies.

His head is brought on a platter. It feels tragic.

- Unfair.

- Brutal.

But look deeper: John loses his life —

yet keeps his integrity. And in God’s Kingdom, that is victory.

Similarly, centuries later, the same Gospel is lived again in Paul Miki and his companions.

- Like John, they preached truth.

- Like John, they were arrested.

- Like John, they were executed.

And like Christ…

They forgave. Paul Miki even preached from the cross.

Imagine the peace of that heart.

He had nothing left, yet he still gave love.

This is what happens when someone belongs totally to God:

You cannot steal their joy.

You cannot silence their witness.

You cannot conquer their faith.

Beloved in Christ Jesus, as we continue our pilgrimage we are exhorted to imbibe the spirit of praises and thanksgiving as David, the courage of John the Baptist and the zeal of witnessing to the Gospel as St. Paul Miki and Companions. Then eschew every form of Herodian's promise. Let is wat what we say, the promise we make and the possibility of fulfilling such a promise. 

Peace, be with you!

© ARCHIVE 06022026