Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, we reflect on the beheading of John the Baptist. There are stark similarities between the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist and the passion of Jesus. Herod and Pilate are both fully aware of the holiness of John and Jesus. Each has the worldly power to set free or condemn. In turn, they both succumb to the pressures of their ‘peers’--Herod is influenced (through his disgusting lust) by the anger and resentment held by Herodias toward John, and Pilate by the hatred of the Jewish leaders toward Jesus. In the end, the innocent man is put to death for unjust reasons. Lack of justice–sounds familiar. We can point out many examples today where innocent people die at the hands of corruption, seething hatred, and evil. The imagery of the scene in today’s gospel and that of the passion of Christ are gruesome and vulgar. As I spend time with the stories, they become more unsettling each time I read them–just like stories about mass shootings, bombings of civilians, abuse of power by law enforcement and politicians, harmful treatment of children, and so much more.
In time, we tend to develop hatred toward the things we fear. “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.” (Mk 6:20) John called out Herod for his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, but it likely goes much deeper than that. A sinful lifestyle--political corruption, greed, sexual promiscuity, false imprisonment; there is a lot packed into this gruesome end to the life of John the Baptist. Fear of truth and righteousness can quickly turn sour if we let it dig at our hearts.
Like Jesus, John the Baptist was a symbol of hope. However, John came not as the way, but to prepare the way of the Lord. He dedicated his life to courageously speaking truth, repentance, and salvation even in the face of threats and persecution--ultimately leading to his death. John spent his life pointing people to Christ. The hatred and culture of death in that time and our own is overcome when we live out our call to “let brotherly love continue”, practice hospitality (Heb 13:1-2), and serve one another. “The Lord is my helper and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (6,8). May we, like John, answer that call with our whole heart and with joy in the love of Christ.
Peace,
Brandon Meyer