My Thoughts on 05/02/2021

Herod, was a king that was swayed by his concern about what others thought of him. He thus ordered the beheading of John the Baptist. We are told that Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him. When the request was made by the daughter of Herodias, to have John’s head, 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. So he at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head. As one commentator says Herod’s background was partly pagan and partly Jewish. It suited him to have a foot in both camps. He was attracted to John’s words yet was still prepared for the sake of his standing in the eyes of others to kill John. “Herod clearly had an interest in spiritual matters but he sat on the fence without making a commitment.” (Sylvester O’Flynn). How committed are we to what we believe to be right and true? Do we sway and bend in the wind of public opinion sometimes persuaded by what others think and do?

Dear Lord, as a Catholic, may I be a committed believer giving myself 100% to Christian beliefs and values. Give me the courage to to be faithful to what I know is right. Give me the wisdom and discernment in times of doubt.