Today's Reflections
Reflections
August 28, 2011, 10:28pm
MARK 6:17-29
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.
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
Herod feared John. So Herod has John the Baptizer imprisoned and
killed. How often we kill the messenger and disregard the message, take
things personally and forget the real issues, sacrifice people for our
principles and wrong beliefs, and harbor misplaced fear.
We are headless when we act in a manner like that of Herod.
We
have lost our head when we behead people simply because we do not like
what they say or do.
Let us always keep our head in place, as well as our bruised
feelings and naked desires. Let us know our fears and learn to sift
through them.
Gaze at and be impressed by the stars and offer your fears to God.
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