From the Gospel according to Mark 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.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.”
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?” Her mother 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.
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?” Her mother 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.
Give Your Life
Today we see John becoming the first martyr for defending the Truth, the one and only Truth, which is God’s truth about marriage. And we see that where there is no truth, sin comes in, and one sin leads to another, like dominoes: the first piece falls and knocks down the next, and so on. Because Herod does not live in the truth; he lives in lies and deception, married to his brother’s wife. That leads him to pride of not wanting to look bad in front of his guests and that leads him to murder…
When we break the plans God has for us, we enter a destructive spiral that can be hard to get out of if we don’t count on God. The Lord shows us the Truth. We need humility and to live in truth, to recognize our limits and our offenses against God and against my spouse, in order to restore communion with Him and with my spouse. Today we ask ourselves: How many times do I fail in my covenant with God and fail to truly value my spouse? Am I faithful in hard times, or only when things are going well? Do I love my husband the way God wants me to love him, or just in the way that suits me?
John gave his life to defend marriage and me… How am I giving my life for my spouse in the little things of everyday life, through time, listening, patience, faithfulness? And when difficulties come, do I fight for my marriage, or do I look for comfort through shortcuts that avoid effort and struggle? Am I giving my life to defend something as sacred as my marriage? Am I giving myself completely?
Applied to married life:
Adele: I’ve had an awful day… as soon as Declan gets home, we’ll eat and go straight to bed.
Declan: Adele, I’m home! I’ve made plans to grab a few beers at the bar downstairs, then go watch the game with everyone and have dinner out. Want to come?
Adele: Declan, I’m exhausted… no way!
Declan: Here we go again with the tiredness, the job… honestly, I feel like I married my wife’s work.
Adele: How dare you? I´m working nonstop so we can have a decent vacation! Oh, just get lost! Go by yourself! I’m better off at home alone.
Declan: Fine! I’m going!
Declan: Adele, I’m home! I’ve made plans to grab a few beers at the bar downstairs, then go watch the game with everyone and have dinner out. Want to come?
Adele: Declan, I’m exhausted… no way!
Declan: Here we go again with the tiredness, the job… honestly, I feel like I married my wife’s work.
Adele: How dare you? I´m working nonstop so we can have a decent vacation! Oh, just get lost! Go by yourself! I’m better off at home alone.
Declan: Fine! I’m going!
On the way, Declan sees that his parish church is open, and there, with a contrite heart, the Lord works in him… He shows him how he has slowly drifted away from Adele, how the distance between them has grown, and He reminds him that with humility, the Lord can do everything. So Declan decides to go back home, cancel his plans, and ask for forgiveness.
Declan: Adele, I’m back home. Forgive me. I’ve been going through a phase where I don’t stop to really pay attention to you.
Adele: No, forgive me. I’ve had weeks of so much work, and once again I’ve put my job above everything else.
Declan: How about I make dinner, we can have that soup you like and then we pray together?
Adele: That sounds amazing, Declan. I thank God so much for your humility.
Adele: And I thank Him for the way you always welcome me.
Adele: No, forgive me. I’ve had weeks of so much work, and once again I’ve put my job above everything else.
Declan: How about I make dinner, we can have that soup you like and then we pray together?
Adele: That sounds amazing, Declan. I thank God so much for your humility.
Adele: And I thank Him for the way you always welcome me.
Mother,
May we, like you, truly live out the reality that the Lord is present in our sacrament, and may we always remember that by loving my spouse, I am loving Him.
Praised be the Lord!
Praised be the Lord!