THE WORD
Sir 47, 2-11 / Mk 6,14-29
King Herod heard about it, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the “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.
She 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. Herodias’ 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.
IN OTHER WORDS
Our world today seems to be filled with empty promises and broken dreams: an unfaithful spouse who swears to change but still cheats, a friend who betrays our secrets, some politicians who assure good service but don’t ful ll it. They leave us disappointed. On the other hand, there are people who ful ll their word (may isang salita): a relative we can always rely on, a great teacher we idolize, or an upright leader we try to emulate. We trust them.
Today’s gospel presents Herod who makes a promise to his niece, and delivers. If I were at that banquet where Salome danced (as Josephus the Historian named the girl), I’d admire Herod for being a man of his word. After all, John was perceived as one who attacked the Jewish monarchy, under Roman rule at the time. It is better that the “subversive” Baptizer be dead than fuel unrest among the masses.
This is not the whole story however.
“The king was deeply distressed…”for he knew it was unfair for John to die when no real crime was committed. The Baptizer’s attack on him was only to voice the truth about his relationship with Herodias, his sister in law. “…But because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her (Salome).” Here is a man of his word, who chose to deliver his promise but bent his principles to save face and favor self-service rather than stand his ground and uphold the truth.
We are confronted with such situations many times in our life. If I made the wrong decision, would I fulfill my word para lang hindi mapahiya? Or would I admit my mistakes and stand on my principles even if I suffer for it?
Hopefully one day, the Divine Word becomes our own word. May we always have the courage to stand in the light of truth, and begin to heal this world full of empty promises and broken dreams.
- Fr. John Ferdinand M. Cruz, SVD | Parokya San Miguel, Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
