Posted by The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Atilano Corcuera SVD – Divine Word Seminary of Tagaytay
Memorial of the Passion (Beheading) of Saint John the Baptist – August 29
It is safe to brand the Herod of the Gospel today as a “trapo” politician. When it suited him he was good, like fearing and admiring John the Baptist, and respecting a holy man. But when he feared the teasing and laughter of his people due to the promise he made under the influence of wine, he had John the Baptist dispatched.
Herodias mirrors how far an embittered woman can go. She was bitter against John the Baptist, because the latter confronted her with her sin. She was a cruel and hard human being. Sometimes I imagine how gruesome it is to be offered on a platter a bloody human head! Did she bury the head? Did she burn it or simply throw it into the trash pit? How sick! “She murdered John so she could sin in peace.” How very human, and how similar to her are we at times.
Finally we look at John the Baptist. He was a prophet. He did not foretell the future, as we often think of what prophets do. In biblical understanding a prophet is one “who speaks in God’s name and under his inspiration”, one who makes known God’s presence and will to his people. He speaks the truth without fear even for his life.
Come to think of it, through our baptism we have become prophets. May St. John obtain for us that special grace to be messengers of God’s truth and presence.
One comment