DGeMs- Daily Gospel eMessage
Dear Friend in the Lord,
Truth – Evil: In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist was beheaded for speaking the truth, that infuriated Herodias, the mistress of King Herod. Ponder on, “Are we angry at people who expose the truth of our unchristian attitudes, behaviours and lifestyles? If so, pray for the conversion to live in the peace and joy of Christ’s Ways.
Fr Philip Heng, S.J.
Mark 6:18-19, 21-23, 25b-27
John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him, but she was not able to do so,
An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.’ And he swore her an oath, ‘I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.’
The girl made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head here and now, on a dish.’ The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head.