The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Jun Perez SVD, South Korea
Saturday 17th Week in Ordinary Time
“Be careful of what you ask for!”
One late November, I met a group of Filipino tourists on their last night in Korea. One of them wanted to experience snow – a simple heart’s desire. Then, lo and behold, at around 9 PM, there was snow. He went out of the hotel lobby and ran on the street catching the snow. The child within enjoyed his first snow experience and was very happy that his wish came true.
Delighted at the performance of the daughter of Herodias, Herod told the girl to ask anything and it would be given her. He made that promise at his guests’ hearing to make the impression that he was powerful and rich, and to prove as well his worth as a person. In doing so, he would gain their admiration.
The girl was overwhelmed. Here was the chance for her to change the course of her life. What would she ask for? For her, only mother knew best.
She was vulnerable in the hands of Herod as well as of her mother. Herodias at the same time found her opportunity to get rid of John the Baptist, her tormentor. She asked for the head of John the Baptist because of her anger and hatred of him. Remorseless, she used Herod to get even and her daughter’s vulnerability to satisfy her whims.
Sometimes, we also ask a lot of things. We cannot distinguish our need from our want. We make our life complicated because of too many desires, whims and caprices.
Why not make life simple? In this way, we avoid being used by others and instead seek (and pursue) what is essential, our values, our faith and our well-being.
