The 5th of February, 2021, Friday is the Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr. The Holy Bible verses for the mass readings for this day came from the Liturgical Calendar of the Year 2021.
Reading 1: HEB 13:1-8
The first reading from The Letter to the Hebrews.
Let brotherly love continue.
Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”
So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Responsorial Psalm: PS 27:1, 3, 5, 8B-9ABC
Response: Yahweh is my light and my salvation.
Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
R: Yahweh is my light and my salvation.
Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident.
R: Yahweh is my light and my salvation.
For in the day of trouble, he will keep me secretly in his pavilion. In the secret place of his tabernacle, he will hide me. He will lift me up on a rock.
R: Yahweh is my light and my salvation.
“I will seek your face, Yahweh.”
Don’t hide your face from me. Don’t put your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Don’t abandon me.
R: Yahweh is my light and my salvation.
Gospel of the Day: MK 6:14-29
From the gospel scripture according to Mark.
King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”
But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.”
But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.”
For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her.
For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.
Then a convenient day came when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”
He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.”
She came in immediately with haste to the king and requested, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.”
The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her.
Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard and commanded to bring John’s head; and he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
