El Aposento Alto

“Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?” the psalmist asks.

Last time I set out to climb a small mountain, it was without supreme confidence that I would make the summit. I would have to scramble over exposed crags and sharp ridges. The breathless elevation was only occasionally relieved by shallower stretches. I was far from convinced that I had the heart, strength, and grit for it.

But the mountain makes companions out of strangers. They share footholds and caution against surprise drop-offs. Their energy encourages; and if they stumble, you cannot help but shore them up. Alone, I would not have made it.

“Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?” the psalmist asks. Those with clean hands and pure hearts; those who tell the truth.

I try to be a good enough person. But whenever I read the more self-justifying psalms, I become uncomfortable. I am not certain my conscience can altogether bear such confidence.

But the company of those who seek the face of God includes sinners as well as saints. This week’s readings are full of both. David stumbles in his commitment to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. Michal despises kings from her lofty balcony. John the Baptist succumbs to the sword, and Jesus is creating unrest in the heart of Herod. Paul assures us that God has chosen us to be holy and blameless, not on our own account but because of the overflowing richness of God's grace, which we inherit as God’s adopted children—the communion of sinners and saints.

“Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?” We are on the quest in mixed company, seeking God’s face together. We rely not on our own strength and righteousness but on the companionship of fellow adventurers and the merciful vindication of the God of our salvation.

O God, the week stretches weary before me. Help me to find you in the crowded schedule, encouraging me on to glory. Amen.

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Leer Mark 6:14-29

Mark 6:14-29

¹⁴ Herod the king heard about these things, because the name of Jesus had become well-known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and this is why miraculous powers are at work through him.” ¹⁵ Others were saying, “He is Elijah.” Still others were saying, “He is a prophet like one of the ancient prophets.” ¹⁶ But when Herod heard these rumors, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised to life.” ¹⁷ He said this because Herod himself had arranged to have John arrested and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. Herod had married her, ¹⁸ but John told Herod, “It’s against the law for you to marry your brother’s wife!” ¹⁹ So Herodias had it in for John. She wanted to kill him, but she couldn’t. ²⁰ This was because Herod respected John. He regarded him as a righteous and holy person, so he protected him. John’s words greatly confused Herod, yet he enjoyed listening to him. ²¹ Finally, the time was right. It was on one of Herod’s birthdays, when he had prepared a feast for his high-ranking officials and military officers and Galilee’s leading residents. ²² Herod’s daughter Herodias came in and danced, thrilling Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the young woman, “Ask me whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” ²³ Then he swore to her, “Whatever you ask I will give to you, even as much as half of my kingdom.” ²⁴ She left the banquet hall and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” “John the Baptist’s head,” Herodias replied. ²⁵ Hurrying back to the ruler, she made her request: “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head on a plate, right this minute.” ²⁶ Although the king was upset, because of his solemn pledge and his guests, he didn’t want to refuse her. ²⁷ So he ordered a guard to bring John’s head. The guard went to the prison, cut off John’s head, ²⁸ brought his head on a plate, and gave it to the young woman, and she gave it to her mother. ²⁹ When John’s disciples heard what had happened, they came and took his dead body and laid it in a tomb.

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Leccionario Semanal

July 5–11, 2021

Resumen de la Escritura

Two readings this week focus on welcoming God’s presence. David does this by bringing the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. As the ark arrives, David dances, worshiping God with reckless abandon. The author of Psalm 24 poetically calls a city to open its gates and welcome the great king. These passages invite us to consider how willingly we receive God into our lives. The reading from Ephesians speaks of God’s eternal plan. While circumstances may seem chaotic, God holds an eternal perspective and has sealed us with the Holy Spirit. Mark tells the sad story of the execution of John the Baptist, yet another example of a righteous person experiencing persecution.

Preguntas para la reflexión

Read 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19. How do you bless others in your daily life?
Read Psalm 24. In what ways do you honor the Creator in the ways you care for God’s creation?
Read Ephesians 1:3-14. Where have you stumbled on your faith journey and found God ready and willing to help?
Read Mark 6:14-29. When have you experienced a guilty conscience? Did you resolve the issue that was causing the feeling?

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Psalm 24:1-6

Mark 6:14-29

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