Gospel Reading for August 29, 2024 – Mark 6: 17-29
GOING AGAINST OURSELF
Herod was the one who had John the Baptist 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. She 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. Herodias’ 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?” She 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.
————
How difficult it must have been for Herod to have John the Baptist executed because he knew John was a righteous and holy man who he liked listening to. It was a tug of war between doing what was right and just, and killing someone so revered just to save face. Sadly, Herod chose to save face, and it haunted him so when Jesus came. He thought Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. This is what happens to us when we choose to go against the will of God, because going against God’s will is also GOING AGAINST OURSELF.
The dilemma of Herod is no different in today’s day and age of sexual promiscuity, where there are so many instances of unintended, unplanned, or unwanted pregnancies. There are only 2 choices: a) to honor the life of the baby; or b) to save face through abortion. Sadly, a lot of mothers and fathers who sire unintended and unplanned pregnancies do not see that ABORTION IS A CRIME against the Fifth Commandment: THOU SHALL NOT KILL.
As we celebrate today the Passion of St. John the Baptist, we are reminded to always uphold what is right even if it means losing face. A mistake can never be corrected by yet another mistake!
St. John the Baptist, pray for us!
