August 29, 2011
Memorial of Beheading of St. John the Baptist, martyr
LOST YOUR HEAD?
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. – Mark 6:20
The priest read through the story of St. John’s beheading at Mass. As he finished reading the passage, he said, “In the end everyone had lost their heads except John.”
He went through each of the figures in the story to see if we could relate with anyone.
Herod was the one with the most political power but he was careless with his decisions and had no backbone to live out his values. He even married his brother’s wife! Herodias, Herod’s wife, condemned herself as cunning, selfish and manipulative even to the point of making a child ask for what is evil.
Their daughter, who pleased Herod with her dance, lost her head by following someone else’s misguided decisions.
And lastly, even the executioner lost his head by putting a holy man to death.
Someone once said, “It’s easier to die for principles rather than to live up to them.” In John’s case, he was able to do both despite the hardships and all because of his love for God. Rod Velez (rod.velez@gmail.com)
REFLECTION:
There is a potential to do good in every situation. In every role we play in life, have we ever been ashamed to show that we are Christians?
Today, Lord, as in every day, I resolve to live my life according to Your Holy Will. May I always do what is pleasing in Your sight.
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