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Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. (Mark 6:20)
The embodiment of radicalism, John the Baptist dressed in camel’s hair, “ate locusts and wild honey” (Mark 1:6), and prepared the way for Jesus by boldly exhorting people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4). All during his life, John stood as a prefigurement of Jesus, the one he heralded. An angel foretold both of their births and named both of them (Luke 1:13,31; Isaiah 49:1). They were both conceived as a result of God’s miraculous intervention (Luke 1:24-25,35). Even in infancy, people recognized God’s hand upon them (Luke 1:66; 2:18-19).
Both John and Jesus “grew and became strong in spirit,” and each spent time alone before beginning his public ministry (Luke 1:80; 2:40; Mark 1:12-13). The Lord made both their mouths like sharp swords (Isaiah 49:2), able to cut through the deceptions of human reasoning with the truths of repentance, forgiveness, and God’s loving call to bear “fruits worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:8; Matthew 7:21). John willingly suffered and died for Jesus, just as Jesus died so that all people could become children of God.
Of John the Baptist, St. Bede the Venerable said: “Such was the quality and strength of the man who accepted the end of this present life by shedding his blood.” Through he was “locked away in the darkness of prison … [he] deserved to be called a bright and shining lamp” by Christ, “the Light of life” (Homilies, 23).
As the Holy Spirit’s temple, we too are called to be bright lights, glorifying Christ in a world darkened by sin. Although we probably will not experience martyrdom, we can daily imitate Christ by following the Spirit’s guidance instead of the inclinations of the flesh. Our radicalness may result in suffering, but our hearts will overflow with joy as the Spirit enables us, like Jesus, to triumph over death. Despite difficulties, we will rejoice as we see Jesus reborn into the world through our witness.
Points for Meditation:
The gospel message is attractive, because of the hope it gives, but also disturbing, because of the way it challenges us. Herod was attracted to John’s message, but was unable to turn away from the sin in his life. What character traits or weaknesses hindered Herod in following through with his initial attraction to John’s preaching? Is there something similar in your life that prevents you from following the Lord more closely?
John was never fearful about proclaiming the truth, regardless of the consequences. When you have the opportunity to stand up for the truth, do you experience fear of persecution or suffering? In your prayer today, ask Jesus to deliver you from any fears you might have about proclaiming God’s message of salvation.
John the Baptist’s knowledge of God produced a powerful humility in him. When asked if he were the Christ, John replied that he was not even worthy to untie the Lord’s sandals (John 1:27). Why was John’s humility so essential to the mission God had given to him to herald the coming of Jesus? How can growth in humility help us to better fulfill God’s will in our own lives?
Prayer:
God our Father, you called John the Baptist to be the herald of your Son’s birth and death. As he gave his life in witness to truth and justice, so may we strive to profess our faith in your gospel. (Opening Prayer for the Memorial)
Gospel parallel to Mark 6
Matthew 14:1-12
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus; and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist, he has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And the king was sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given; he sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it; and they went and told Jesus.
John the Baptist both terrified and fascinated Herod. Although Herod had thrown John in prison, he sensed that the people were right: John was a prophet (Matthew 14:5). And so he “was sorry” (14:9) when he found that he had to fulfill his reckless oath and have John beheaded.
Yet Herod’s situation was more pitiable than John’s. Although he endured a tragic death, John the Baptist had done his work on earth—he had been the one to “go before the Lord to prepare his ways” (Luke 1:76). Jesus described him as greater than any born of woman (Matthew 11:11). John would enjoy eternal life with God.
Herod, on the other hand, had been given the honor of knowing one of the greatest prophets of all time. Instead of being transformed by this experience, he chose to continue in his sinful ways. Perhaps he feared what would happen to his life if he let John’s message penetrate him. Surely, he would have had to change. Instead of grasping onto the truth, Herod—for all time—would be known as a man who was manipulated to do what he did not want to do: Sentence John the Baptist to death.
Fear of change can sometimes lead us to hold on to negative or sinful patterns in our lives as well. We have the honor of knowing Jesus Christ on a personal basis. That prospect can make us rejoice, but it can also make us fearful. As a committed Christian, what will the Lord call us to change in our lives? Will we have to give up habits that lead us away from him, or friendships that influence us negatively? Will we have to risk persecution by taking unpopular stands?
“We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls” (Hebrews 10:39). Let us not draw back from the Lord, even when his truth challenges all the assumptions upon which we have built our lives. His truth is the door to eternal life.
“Father, give us the courage to follow you, no matter what the cost. Even if we must face the pain of change, help us to trust in your love for us and your plan for our lives.”
There are times when i want to make flimsy excuses for not walkin upright but the story of John is a big challenge to throw myself open to God and wall in his ways on matter the situation. My prayer everyday ip that his spirit draws me out of my sinful ways. You can also say that prayer.
Truly, I have been like Herod. Fear of losing some things I would likely enjoy if not lost but like St. Augustine, I am not satisfied until I have found you fully in my heart. Lord, have mercy and help me to worship you better. AMEN!
this article has really exposed the life i live, appreciating the word and yet afraid of getting closer, and been careless sometimes. I pray this article will inspire me to get closer to God as well as everyone who reads it.