DGeMs- Daily Gospel eMessage
Dear Friend in the Lord,
Anger – Faith: In today’s Gospel, instead of inheriting half of the wealth of King Herod’s kingdom, Herodias preferred to have John the Baptist killed. This was because he spoke the truth about her being the mistress of Herod. Ponder on, “Am I irrational and revengeful, when I am angry with someone, and then regret with guilt?”
Fr Philip Heng, S.J.
Matthew 14:3-10
It was Herod who had arrested John, chained him up and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had told him, ‘It is against the Law for you to have her.’ He had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet.
Then, during the celebrations for Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and so delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked. Prompted by her mother she said, ‘Give me John the Baptist’s head, here, on a dish.’
The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered it to be given her, and sent and had John beheaded in the prison.