The WORD in other words (2022) by Fr Melchor Bernal SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
We become what we choose.
Jesus’ public ministry triggered flashbacks of Herod’s life. Herod ordered the beheading of John the Baptist to accommodate Herodias’ murderous thought expressed through her daughter.
Herod’s two selfish interests pushed him to call the beheading. The first was his decision to marry Herodias, his brother’s wife, unlawfully. To protect this choice, and avoid losing face in front of his court, led to this decision. Herod made another fateful decision ordering the beheading of John the Baptist.
Both decisions preserved the selfish interests of Herod. His lower self proved stronger than his higher self. Now and then, we find ourselves acting like Herod. Our previous faulty and sinful choice is covered by another similar choice, pushing ourselves deeper into a sinful lifestyle. Instead of repenting, we simply gloss it over and avoid changing.
Like Herod, we may be too unaffected with God’s presence that we choose what is easy and pleasurable rather than what might be difficult but redemptively beautiful.
God gave us the freedom to choose. The best choice is to do his will. “. . . the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever. ” I John 2, 17
