Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The king was distressed, but because of his oaths . . . , he had John beheaded. 

John the Baptist and Herod could not be more different. John was a man of God who relentlessly spoke uncomfortable truths, no matter what the cost. Herod was a man of the world who, in today’s Gospel, spoke impulsively and seemed concerned only about his reputation. It’s quite a contrast, and while we usually focus on the hero of the story, today let’s look at the “villain” and see what we can learn from his mistakes.

Note that Herod knew who John was. In Mark’s account of this episode, we read that Herod “feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man” and that “he liked to listen to him” (6:20). So how could Herod have gone so far as to have John killed? Simply put, Herod was overtaken by pride and concern for the opinion of others. Feeling festive and eager to impress his dinner guests, he promised his stepdaughter “whatever she might ask for” (Matthew 14:7). Then, when she requested John’s head, Herod felt trapped. He had made a rash promise, but he couldn’t see a way out of it.

How often, like Herod, do you get caught up in the moment and speak words or make promises that you later regret? While you might feel trapped, it’s never too late to ask for forgiveness. It can be humbling to say, “I was wrong” or “I’m sorry,” but you can do it. If you’ve made a promise you can’t keep, you can say, “I should have taken the time to think and pray about it first.”

If you want to avoid following in Herod’s footsteps, then examine your heart and see if there are any hidden desires to be right or well thought of. If so, repent and ask the Lord to give you an undivided heart that wants only to love and serve him and his people. And even if you slip up at times and say something you later regret, you can trust that with God’s grace, you can make things right again.

“Lord, give me the humility to turn to you when I say things I later regret.”

Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24
Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34
Matthew 14:1-12