Posted by The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr Atilano Corcuera SVD – Shrine of Jesus the Divine Word, Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Memorial of the Martyrdom of Saint Jean the Baptist – August 29
A rather bizarre story was told about a soul who found himself at the entrance of heaven. While waiting for St. Peter he was going around the waiting area. Accordingly, he saw thousands and thousands of dried human ears hanging on the walls of the huge room.
When he asked an angel what those ears were doing there, the angel replied, “Well, those belong to the people who, while on earth, loved to listen to good, truthful, and beautiful words. They listened to inspiring sermons over the radio and on TV. They went out of their way to listen to famous and entertaining preachers. But that was all.”
If this story were true, I am sure, one set of ears hanging at the entrance would belong to Herod. The Gospel of today says, “When he heard him speak… he liked to listen to him… and kept him in custody.” (Mark 6, 20) While Herod feared John, “knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,” he nevertheless had him beheaded upon the silly request of the daughter of Herodias. Herod liked to listen, but that was all.
As we remember today the Martyrdom (Beheading) of John the Baptist, let us also take a look at ourselves. Are we not like Herod who loved to listen to God’s word, but when it comes to committing ourselves to the truth and to doing what the Word tells us, we hesitate? Would that after listening to His Word, we move and stand for it, with our lives when necessary! Listening, the Christian goes and lives the word; for him listening is not all.
Saint John the Baptist, helped us to live the Word and not to behead it!
One comment