Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” (Mt 14:1-2).
After the death of Herod the Great (4 BC), one of his sons, Herod Antipas, was given a portion of his father’s kingdom by the Roman Emperor Augustus. Thus, Herod Antipas was the tetrarch, or prince, of Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to 39 AD. Herod, like, Pontius Pilate, held power as long as he was a faithful servant to Rome.
News of the ministry of Jesus got back to Herod and he believed Jesus to be John the Baptist raised from the dead. What followed in today’s Gospel were some reasons why Herod arrested and unjustly beheaded John the Baptist. John was killed for speaking truth to power, as happened often in the long line of prophets before him. What we heard almost happened to Jeremiah in our first reading as he is calling the people of Jerusalem to repent.
After hearing the news of John’s death John’s he began his ministry, also calling for repentance, “This is the time of fulfillment, the kingdom of Heaven is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15). And yet he promised so much more. John was the voice, Jesus is the Word spoken. Both would suffer capital punishment, at the hands of Herod Antipas and Pontius Pilate. The Apostles and martyrs of the early Church followed John and Jesus, lived the truth publicly and courageously, and were bold witnesses of their faith.
How are we living our faith today? Are we faithful to the Gospel values that Jesus and the Apostles taught and were willing to die for? Do we serve Herod Antipas and Pontius Pilate or Jesus the Christ? Do we assume a defensive posture or open ourselves to love? Are we putting our identity first or our integrity? Most of us are somewhere in between. The hope is that each day we surrender a little more to Jesus, dedicate ourselves to prayer and practicing our faith, and loving one another as we have been loved, a little more.
It is important to stop and reflect on questions such as these, to examine our thoughts, words, and actions and determine to whom have we given our heart, to whom are we truly serving. It is not easy living the teachings of Jesus. We will fall short, but we must remember that God loves us more than we can ever mess up. When we are humble and willing to see our mistakes, failures, and sins, be contrite, confess, and rectify them, we will experience God’s forgiveness and mercy, we will be transformed, and grow.
What’s more the relationship we have been created for strengthens. Embraced by and participating in the Trinitarian Communion of love, let us recommit ourselves today to living as Jesus’ disciples, seek to better hear his word and follow his path, so to better live and speak his truth by promoting the forgiveness, justice, love, mercy, and reconciliation we have received in and out of season.
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Some great guidance from St. Mother Teresa: “Let the love of God take entire and absolute possession of your heart; let it become to your heart like a second nature.” Photo credit: Press Association
Spiritual Stepping Stones 