Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prisonon 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.
REFLECTION
The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her.
One voice says, "Speak the truth." The other voice says "Stay quiet you might upset someone." We see the struggle between what we know God is asking of us and what we should do vs. what feels safe or easier.
Herod promptly dispatched the executioner because rather than go back on his promise and look like a fool he went ahead with his rash judgment. But do anyone of us really care about Herod, as he is not one to follow or emulate?
It is John the Baptist who boldly said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." (Mark 6:18) John chose faithfulness to God over personal safety. Truth does not simply become less true because when speaking it becomes uncomfortable.
Loss of reputation, popularity, status of life, position and job cause many to compromise and not take a stand. May we have the courage to resist "straddling the fence", speak the truth with charity, listen to our conscience, and be faithful to God and His commandments.
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