A Day Commemorating John the Baptist

29Aug
At that time Herod the ruler heard reports about Jesus; and he said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been telling him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ Though Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. His disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.
 - Matthew 14:1-12

Today the Church remembers The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, a day commemorating the martyrdom of John the Baptist on the orders of Herod Antipas. Herod “reluctantly” ordered this execution at the request of his step-daughter Salome and his wife Herodias out of shame for John’s condemning Herod’s divorce of his wife Phasaelis followed immediately by his marriage to his brother’s wife (Herodias.) Herod was already feeling the criticism of religious leaders; the addition of John’s voice was apparently more than Herod or Herodias could bear.

While I prefer to identify with the saints in most of these accounts, when being more honest with myself, I am inclined to see the “Herod” in me. How often do we try to live up to flawless images of ourselves, while attempting to mask the parts that embarrass or shame us? We may even do unkind or spiteful things (fortunately, I have never beheaded anyone - not even once!) to protect the perfect images of ourselves. What held Herod back from owning up to what he was doing? What holds us back from the same? Our faith reminds us that “nothing will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus”, yet we are often inclined to add “but” to that promise. How much pain could be avoided if we could all escape the need to hold up perfect images of ourselves? Murder, war, acts of violence, hate, greed are often driven by a shame to admit that we are flawed, that we do not have to prove ourselves more perfect than others. This is why we need a forgiving and loving savior, who embraces us even in our brokenness.

Musical Reflection - His Mercy is More - Keith & Kristyn Getty

Almighty God, who called your servant John the Baptist to go before your Son our Lord both in life and death; grant that we who remember his witness may with boldness speak your truth and in humility, hear it when it is spoken to us, through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns one God forever and ever. Amen.

Gospel
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