Gospel MK 6:14-29
King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread,
and people were saying,
“John the Baptist has been raised from the dead;
That is why mighty powers are at work in him.”
Others were saying, “He is Elijah”;
still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.”
But when Herod learned of it, he said,
“It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.”
Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers,
and the leading men of Galilee.
His own daughter came in and performed a dance
that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”
He even swore many things to her,
“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother,
“What shall I ask for?”
Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”
The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,
“I want you to give me at once on a platter
the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner
with orders to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter
and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Reflection:
In today’s gospel we read about two men.
John the Baptist, who had no earthly power, wandered the desert preaching that people should repent and return to God.
John was a righteous man: he spoke the truth no matter the cost.
And, Herod, who as King wielded the power of life and death over those in his Kingdom, but was riddled with fear.
John had said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
“Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.”
Herod had John beheaded because he had sworn to give his daughter anything she asked for if she would dance for his guests.
Herod feared that he would look weak if he went back on his word.
I admire John the Baptist but I understand Herod.
I have also done things I regret out of fear of the truth, or out of what others might think, or out of fear of looking foolish.
But, I have learned that the antidote to fear is faith in the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
In my fear and weakness I turn to Jesus and like the tax collector in the temple, I pray, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13)
Strengthen our faith, Lord;
So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)
“Fear can keep us up all night long, but faith makes one fine pillow.” – – Unknown