Truth–John’s Prophetic Witnessing
Introduction
After we have heard in recent days the story of King David, Jesus Ben Sirach reinterprets for his time the personality of David: a valiant king whose power comes from God, a singer of psalms and an organizer of the liturgy, the covenant king to whom lasting kingship has been promised.
With the death of the Baptist ends the life of the last prophet of God of the Old Testament, who, as the hinge between the Old and the New Testaments, had prepared the way for the Lord’s coming. He died as a suffering servant of God, a new Elijah, who stood up to kings and infamous queens. Where do we stand?
1st Reading: Sirach 47:2-11
As the fat is selected from the peace offering, so David was selected from the sons of Israel. He played with lions as with young goats, and with bears as with lambs of the flock. In his youth did he not kill a giant, and take away reproach from the people, when he lifted his hand with a stone in the sling and struck down the boasting of Goliath? For he appealed to the Lord, the Most High, and he gave him strength in his right hand to slay a man mighty in war, to exalt the power of his people. So they glorified him for his ten thousand, and praised him for the blessings of the Lord, when the glorious diadem was bestowed upon him. For he wiped out his enemies on every side, and annihilated his adversaries the Philistines; he crushed their power even to this day. In all that he did he gave thanks to the Holy One, the Most High, with ascriptions of glory; he sang praise with all his heart, and he loved his Maker. He placed singers before the altar, to make sweet melody with their voices. He gave beauty to the feasts, and arranged their times throughout the year, while they praised God’s holy name, and the sanctuary resounded from early morning. The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his power for ever; he gave him the covenant of kings and a throne of glory in Israel.
Responsorial Psalm: 18:31, 47 and 50, 51
R. Blessed be God my salvation
The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. R.
The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Saviour! R.
He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing love to his anointed, to David and to his descendants forever. R.
Alleluia: Luke 8:15
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart,
And yield a harvest through perseverance.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 6:14-29
King Herod also heard about Jesus because his name had become well-known. Some people said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others thought, “He is Elijah,” and others, “He is a prophet like the prophets of times past.” When Herod was told of this, he thought: “I had John beheaded, yet he has risen from the dead!” For this is what had happened. Herod had ordered John to be arrested and had him bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod had married her and John had told him, “It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.” So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not because Herod respected John. He knew John to be an upright and holy man and kept him safe. And he liked listening to him, although he became very disturbed whenever he heard him. Herodias had her chance on Herod’s birthday, when he gave a dinner for all the senior government officials, military chiefs and the leaders of Galilee. On that occasion the daughter of Herodias came in and danced; and she delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you.” And he went so far as to say with many oaths, “I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.” She went out to consult her mother, “What shall I ask for?” The mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried to the king and made her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist, here and now, on a dish.” The king was very displeased, but he would not refuse in front of his guests because of his oaths. So he sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded John in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and buried it.
Commentary
Sirach sings David’s praises, highlighting his virtues and remaining relatively silent about his failings, though he does say that God forgave David’s sins. There is no doubt about David’s military prowess, his praise of the Lord, his attention to the major feasts of his faith. These are aspects of his life that have immortalized him. There is a major difference between David and King Herod, a central figure in today’s Gospel.
The story of Herod’s stepdaughter and her famous dance (known in the theatre as the “dance of the seven veils”) has been a theme in drama and reached the operatic stage in Richard Strauss’s opera “Salome”. Most of the characters in the now-famous story are unsavoury, but the figure of Herod merits our attention. He has John the Baptist imprisoned for criticizing Herod’s marriage to his brother’s wife. One evening, in the midst of what must have been a drunken orgy, after his stepdaughter dances, he promises her whatever she might ask, even as much as half of his kingdom. After consulting her mother, she asks for the head of John the Baptist. The request is granted, much to Herod’s chagrin.
John stood for principle, and it cost him his life. Today people are often more passionate about politics than they are about moral principle. This story is worthy of our reflection. Not that our lives equal it in drama. But because it highlights the importance of principle in conduct, something that cannot be put aside casually for personal reasons. “Stand always by the truth, even if you stand alone” (Gani Fawehinmi).
Blessing
Like John the Baptist, we can and should show others the road to Christ and prepare the way for his full coming. This will happen only if we ourselves take his Gospel seriously, if the Lord becomes visible in us, his goodness, his compassion, his love. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!