❀ ❁ January 12th ❀ ❁
“…for Herod
feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected
him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to
him. But an
opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers
and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and
danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask
me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he
solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my
kingdom.’ She went out
and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John
the baptizer.’ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, I
want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter. The king was deeply grieved; yet out of
regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her.”
Mark 6:20-26, NRSVCE
Scripture tells us that Herod "feared" John and knew him to be holy. He "liked to listen to" this righteous man. But ultimately Herod betrays John in order to please his guests. John was the one who confronted Herod about his marriage to his brother's wife. In yet another act of cowardice, Herod sends a soldier out to do to do the job, perhaps thinking he is keeping his own hands clean.
As much as we want to say we do not understand Herod, how many times to we compromise what we know to be true in order to live in this world? How often do we take the easy road of appearing in sync with those around us? We want to blend in with the wallpaper of "normal." We want to be seen as part of the popular crowd.
Maybe it's little things. Maybe we don't pray over our food in a restaurant with friends. Maybe we swear and gossip when in the company of those who are swearing and gossiping. Maybe we get angry when we are told something that we don't want to be true, especially about ourselves and our foibles. Perhaps we lash out at the family member who calls us on the carpet for our adulterous behavior with a co-worker. Perhaps we let a friend "have it" who questions that sinful behavior that we just enjoy too much.
This is the only story in the book of Mark without Jesus Christ. Interestingly, preceding this story we are told of Jesus sending out disciples to teach, after giving them the caveat that, "If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." (verse 11) He does not say to argue or to challenge them, but to leave them. Archbishop Fulton Sheen is quoted as saying, "Win an argument, lose a soul."
Following the story of John and Herod, we are told Jesus instructs the apostles, ostensibly after obtaining John's body, to spend time alone and "rest." But the crowds see the apostles and, starved for teachings, swarm them. After being taught, it gets late, and Jesus feels compassion for this crowd. He admonishes the apostles to feed these people from their own food.
As much as we want to say we do not understand Herod, how many times to we compromise what we know to be true in order to live in this world? How often do we take the easy road of appearing in sync with those around us? We want to blend in with the wallpaper of "normal." We want to be seen as part of the popular crowd.
Maybe it's little things. Maybe we don't pray over our food in a restaurant with friends. Maybe we swear and gossip when in the company of those who are swearing and gossiping. Maybe we get angry when we are told something that we don't want to be true, especially about ourselves and our foibles. Perhaps we lash out at the family member who calls us on the carpet for our adulterous behavior with a co-worker. Perhaps we let a friend "have it" who questions that sinful behavior that we just enjoy too much.
This is the only story in the book of Mark without Jesus Christ. Interestingly, preceding this story we are told of Jesus sending out disciples to teach, after giving them the caveat that, "If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." (verse 11) He does not say to argue or to challenge them, but to leave them. Archbishop Fulton Sheen is quoted as saying, "Win an argument, lose a soul."
Following the story of John and Herod, we are told Jesus instructs the apostles, ostensibly after obtaining John's body, to spend time alone and "rest." But the crowds see the apostles and, starved for teachings, swarm them. After being taught, it gets late, and Jesus feels compassion for this crowd. He admonishes the apostles to feed these people from their own food.
Pray for grace to see how we are like Herod, enjoying hearing the Gospel but not loyal to our LORD or how willing are we to "sell out" on what is important. How are we to be compassionate to others, serving and sacrificing?
Ask Him to help you in these areas.
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