GOSPEL
Herod had John beheaded, and his disciples went to tell Jesus.
Reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 14:1-12
Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus
and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist.
He has been raised from the dead;
that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”
Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison
on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
for John had said to him,
“It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people,
for they regarded him as a prophet.
But at a birthday celebration for Herod,
the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests
and delighted Herod so much
that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for.
Prompted by her mother, she said,
“Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests who were present,
he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl,
who took it to her mother.
His disciples came and took away the corpse
and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.
Word of the Lord.
What am I missing?
In this Gospel, we can identify almost with each of the characters. The proud Herod, the superficial daughter of Herodias, who attracts others but doesn’t even know where she wants to go… But our reflection oriented towards marriage is: How great must marriage be to God, that someone like John the Baptist died defending it! The greatest man born of woman, as Jesus himself said, and he dies a martyr for upholding the truth of marriage. What are we missing about the beauty and greatness of our vocation that we are not willing to give our lives for it, as John did?
In the end, martyr means witness, and all Christians are called to be, in a sense, martyrs, witnesses, of the Truth. We need many who are willing to do so.
Grounded in married life:
Paco: I am discovering more and more things about marriage. It truly is a mystery created by God, with a greatness that eludes me. I know there is still much for me to discover, and the only way to find it is by living it as God wants.
Marga: Yes, marriage is a wonderful gift. And we have to show the world the truth and beauty of our vocation. It is our mission. Blessed be the Lord who has given us such an important mission.
Mother,
You are the Mother of spouses, and you are performing great miracles in us and in many. We are eager to continue learning and taking steps to grow towards Conjugal Charity. Blessed be God.