Daily Word Of God
Mark 6:22-28
When the daughter of 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.’
She went out and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’ The girl at once rushed back to the king and made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head, immediately, 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. At once the king sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head. The man went off and beheaded him in the prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- Have you found yourself in a difficult situation where you have to choose between compromising your religious beliefs and saving your face or avoid losing a friendship?
- Herod knew that John was a messenger of God and a prophet. Yet he beheaded John to save face among his guests. He was willing to sacrifice an innocent man’s life rather than losing his friends.
- Let us ask Jesus to fill us with the Holy Spirit’s courage to remain faithful to our faith at all costs.