Wednesday,
August 29, 2018
Beheading of
John the Baptist
1st Reading:
2 Thes 3:6-10. 16-18
Gospel: Mark 6:17-29
For this is what had happened. Herod had ordered John to be arrested and had him bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod had married her and John had told him, “It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.” So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not be cause Herod respected John. He knew John to be an upright and holy man and kept him safe. And he liked listening to him, although he became very disturbed whenever he heard him.
Herodias had her chance on Herod’s birthday, when he gave a dinner for all the senior government officials, military chiefs and the leaders of Gali lee. On that occasion the daughter of Herodias came in and danced; and she delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you.” And he went so far as to say with many oaths, “I will give you anything you ask, even half my king dom.” She went out to consult her mother, “What shall I ask for?” The mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried to the king and made her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist, here and now, on a dish.”
The king was very displeased, but he would not refuse in front of his guests because of his oaths. So he sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded John in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and buried it.
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
The lives of Herod and of John the Baptist have striking similarities. They were both true to their words. Herod had given word to a dancer that he was willing to reward her with whatever she’d ask. He gave her this assurance at the hearing of invited dignitaries. Trouble came when she asked for the head of John the Baptist. Those guests would have approved any decision he’d make. But he chose to give her John the Baptist’s head. Likewise, John the Baptist was true to his words. He had said that Jesus should increase while he should decrease. For this he was beheaded. When he did, he decreased literally.
The stories of John and Herod were similar yet so different. The similarity brought them to a path that would lead to Jesus. Unfortunately, somewhere along the road they parted ways. In dying for Jesus John took the path to life. In choosing to save his face before important guests, Herod chose the path to death. – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., D.M.
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