REFLECTIONS TODAY

Jesus’ warning against those who will not welcome the Apostles and the message of salvation (Mk 6:11) finds its realization in the action of Herod Antipas. This tetrarch of Galilee, in his better nature, likes to listen to John the Baptist, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. Seeing John as a prophet, he refrains from executing him, most probably out of fear of divine punishment. But Herod’s darker side had him take his brother’s wife Herodias for his own, and entertained by Salome, Herodias’ daughter, and unable to take back the oath made in drunken stupor, he agrees to have John beheaded in prison. But Herod cannot simply wash his hands of the crime. He surmises that the Baptist has been raised from the dead upon hearing of the fame of Jesus whom the people believe to be a prophet like the prophets of old. This narrative tells us that “the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them” (Wis 3:1), while there is no rest for the wicked in this life or in the next. A guilty conscience, one of our basic emotions, can actually guide us back to the right path as it can motivate us to engage in reparative actions.
 

First Reading • Heb 13:1-8 

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body. Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers. Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you. Thus we may say with confidence: The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me? Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 
 

Gospel • Mk 6:14-29 

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” ... 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. Herodias 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. His 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.

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.