Reflection for February 3, Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:14-29

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 and after a period of time  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 and adulterous 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?  

We therefore have to strongly denounce immorality and adulterous affairs no matter what it may cost us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas