Reflection for Saturday August 29 Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist: Mark 6:17-29

Gospel: Mark 6:17-29

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.

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Reflection:

How would we react if we discovered an adulterous relationship? Would we simply keep quiet because we are afraid of the consequences of speaking out? Or would we courageously speak against what is wrong, even when doing so may bring us suffering, rejection, or hardship?

Saint John the Baptist chose the road less traveled. He courageously denounced the adulterous relationship of King Herod and Herodias. He knew that speaking the truth could cost him dearly, yet he refused to remain silent. In the end, he paid for his courage with his life.

John could have pretended not to see what was wrong. He could have chosen silence and avoided confrontation. But his love for truth and righteousness was greater than his fear of the consequences. He did not allow evil to pass quietly before him. He spoke out because he knew that remaining silent in the face of wrongdoing could mean allowing that wrongdoing to continue.

What if we were in John’s place? How would we respond? Would we remain silent, indifferent, and simply look the other way? Sometimes, our silence may appear harmless, but when we knowingly remain silent in the face of wrongdoing, we risk becoming indifferent to evil. Our faith calls us not merely to recognize what is right but also to have the courage to stand for it.

Yet standing for truth does not mean condemning or humiliating those who have gone astray. As followers of Christ, we are called to speak the truth with love, humility, and compassion. When we courageously speak against wrongdoing, our hope should be to help others recognize their mistakes, turn away from sin, and return to the path that leads to righteousness and life.

This is not easy. Like Saint John, we may sometimes have to choose between comfort and courage, between silence and truth, between pleasing people and remaining faithful to God. There may be moments when doing what is right will cost us something. But God does not ask us to be faithful only when it is convenient. He calls us to remain faithful even when our faithfulness demands courage and sacrifice.

May Saint John the Baptist inspire us to become people who are not afraid to stand for truth, defend what is right, and speak with love when we encounter wrongdoing. May the Holy Spirit give us wisdom to know when to speak, courage to speak when necessary, and humility to speak not from anger or self-righteousness but from genuine love for God and for our brothers and sisters.

When the moment comes for us to choose between remaining silent and standing courageously for what is right, will we have the faith and courage to stand with God—even when doing so may cost us our comfort, our reputation, or even our security?—Marino J. Dasmarinas