Today's Reflections
The Death of John the Baptist
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Mk 6:17-29
17Herod
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. 18John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. 20Herod
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. 21She 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. 22Herodias’s 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.”
23He even swore [many things] to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” 24She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25The
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.” 26The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. 27So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. 28He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. 29When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Reflection:
Righteous and holy man. The drama that leads to the death of John the Baptist resembles the passion and death of Jesus.
John
rebukes Herod Antipas for his adultery and sinful life. Herod
retaliates by having John arrested and imprisoned. Herod knows John’s
prophetic stature as a righteous man and likes to listen to him though
his conscience is continually pricked by the prophet. Weak in character
and caught in quandary due to his vices, lust, extravagance, and peer
pressure, Herod is forced to give in to Herodias’ plan to get rid of
John. Herod, Herodias, and her daughter dispose of John though the
latter is more deserving of life than they.
How do you treat prophetic figures
who speak the truth loud and clear?
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