The episode begins with the liturgy for Friday, February 6, 2026, commemorating St. Paul, Michi, Presbyterian and Martyrs. It opens with a reading from the book of Sirach, describing how David was chosen among the children of Israel. The text details David's youthful exploits, including joking with lions and killing the giant Goliath with a stone from a fjord. It highlights how David celebrated God with praise and introduced musicians before the altar. The reading concludes with God forgiving David's sins and establishing a royal covenant with him. Next, Psalm 17 is recited, repeating the refrain 'Your Lord dominates everything.' The Psalm praises God as a perfect way, a purified word, and a shield for refuge. It exalts God as the rock of salvation and notes God's faithfulness to David and his descendants. An alleluia follows, blessing those who guard God's word with integrity. The Gospel reading from Mark then begins, describing how King Herod heard about Jesus and speculated that he might be John the Baptist risen from the dead. Herod had imprisoned John because John criticized Herod's marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. Herod feared John but listened to him willingly. At Herod's birthday banquet, Herodias's daughter danced and pleased Herod, leading him to offer her any request. After consulting her mother, the girl asked for John the Baptist's head on a tray. Herod, bound by his oath, ordered the execution, and John's head was delivered. John's disciples later retrieved his body for burial. The episode ends with 'Word of the Lord.'
