Gospel: Mark 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.
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Reflection:
Do you have the courage to denounce a wrongdoing or to be more specific an
act of adultery?
John courageously denounced the adulterous affair of King Herod and
Herodias that is why he was imprisoned by King Herod. Not only that John was
imprisoned soon after he was beheaded upon the request of Herodias. John paid
dearly for speaking against immorality and for speaking about the sanctity of
marriage.
Many marriages right now are breaking apart, many immoral relationships
are ongoing for the simple reason that nobody dares to speak against it. We
must speak against any form of immorality and adultery, against any attempt to
violate the sacred vows of marriage no matter what it may cost us. We need not
worry about the after effect of our righteous action for Jesus will take care
of us.
Some marriages fall apart because there are relatives and spouses who
choose to be silent instead of speaking against it. Why? For the simple reason
that they are afraid to offend or hurt the feelings of their relatives and
spouses. They are afraid that it might create permanent separation and enmity.
But why be afraid if what we do is right? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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