Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the
Baptist
Lectionary: 427/634
Lectionary: 427/634
We instruct you, brothers and sisters,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to shun any brother
who walks in a disorderly way
and not according to the tradition they received from us.
For you know how one must imitate us.
For we did not act in a disorderly way among you,
nor did we eat food received free from anyone.
On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked,
so as not to burden any of you.
Not that we do not have the right.
Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you,
so that you might imitate us.
In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that
if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat.
May the Lord of peace himself
give you peace at all times and in every way.
The Lord be with all of you.
This greeting is in my own hand, Paul's.
This is the sign in every letter; this is how I write.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to shun any brother
who walks in a disorderly way
and not according to the tradition they received from us.
For you know how one must imitate us.
For we did not act in a disorderly way among you,
nor did we eat food received free from anyone.
On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked,
so as not to burden any of you.
Not that we do not have the right.
Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you,
so that you might imitate us.
In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that
if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat.
May the Lord of peace himself
give you peace at all times and in every way.
The Lord be with all of you.
This greeting is in my own hand, Paul's.
This is the sign in every letter; this is how I write.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 128:1-2, 4-5
R. (1) Blessed
are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
AlleluiaMT 5:10
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 6:17-29
Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
"It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers,
his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.
Herodias' own daughter came in
and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
"Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you."
He even swore many things to her,
"I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom."
She went out and said to her mother,
"What shall I ask for?"
She replied, "The head of John the Baptist."
The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request,
"I want you to give me at once
on a platter the head of John the Baptist."
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders
to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
"It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers,
his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.
Herodias' own daughter came in
and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
"Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you."
He even swore many things to her,
"I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom."
She went out and said to her mother,
"What shall I ask for?"
She replied, "The head of John the Baptist."
The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request,
"I want you to give me at once
on a platter the head of John the Baptist."
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders
to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Meditation: "Herod feared John -
a righteous and holy man"
Are you prepared to be a witness, and if necessary, a
martyr for Jesus Christ? John the Baptist bridged the Old and New Testaments.
He is the last of the Old Testament prophets who pointed the way to the
Messiah. He is the first of the New Testament witnesses and martyrs. Jesus
equated the coming of his kingdom with violence. From the days of John
the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of
violence take it by force (Matthew 11:12). John suffered
violence for announcing that the kingdom of God was near. He was thrown into
prison and then beheaded.
Whose pleasure do you seek?
King Herod, the most powerful and wealthy man in Judea, had everything he wanted, except a clear conscience and peace with God. Herod had respected and feared John the Baptist as a great prophet and servant of God. John, however did not fear to rebuke Herod for his adulterous relationship with his brother's wife. John ended up in prison because of Herodias' jealousy. Herod, out of impulse and a desire to please his family and friends, had John beheaded.
King Herod, the most powerful and wealthy man in Judea, had everything he wanted, except a clear conscience and peace with God. Herod had respected and feared John the Baptist as a great prophet and servant of God. John, however did not fear to rebuke Herod for his adulterous relationship with his brother's wife. John ended up in prison because of Herodias' jealousy. Herod, out of impulse and a desire to please his family and friends, had John beheaded.
Why did Herod put John to death when he knew him to
be a righteous and holy man? Herod's power and
influence were badly flawed. He was more bent on pleasing others and making
friends than on doing what was right and just in the sight of God. He could
take a strong stand on the wrong things when he knew the right. Such a stand,
however, was a sign of weakness and cowardice.
God is
our help and our strength
Where do you get the strength of will and heart to choose what is right and to reject what is wrong and sinful? The Lord Jesus gives strength and courage to those who humbly acknowledge their dependence on him. The Lord knows our weaknesses better than we do. He pardons and heals those who ask for his mercy and forgiveness. In whatever situation we find ourselves the Lord is there to guide and direct us. Do you seek the Lord's strength and wisdom? Ask with expectant faith and trust in the Lord's help and grace.
Where do you get the strength of will and heart to choose what is right and to reject what is wrong and sinful? The Lord Jesus gives strength and courage to those who humbly acknowledge their dependence on him. The Lord knows our weaknesses better than we do. He pardons and heals those who ask for his mercy and forgiveness. In whatever situation we find ourselves the Lord is there to guide and direct us. Do you seek the Lord's strength and wisdom? Ask with expectant faith and trust in the Lord's help and grace.
The love of Christ is stronger than death
Since the martyrdom of John the Baptist to the present time, the kingdom of God has suffered violence and persecution at the hands of violent people. The blood of Christian martyrs throughout the ages bear witness to this fact. Their testimony to the truth of the Gospel and their willingness to suffer and die for their faith prove victory rather than defeat for the kingdom of God. What fuels their faith and courage in the face of suffering, persecution, and death? They know and believe with the "eyes of faith" that nothing in this present world can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39).
Since the martyrdom of John the Baptist to the present time, the kingdom of God has suffered violence and persecution at the hands of violent people. The blood of Christian martyrs throughout the ages bear witness to this fact. Their testimony to the truth of the Gospel and their willingness to suffer and die for their faith prove victory rather than defeat for the kingdom of God. What fuels their faith and courage in the face of suffering, persecution, and death? They know and believe with the "eyes of faith" that nothing in this present world can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39).
Power to witness the love and mercy of Jesus Christ
What gives us the power, boldness, and courage to witness to Jesus Christ and to the truth of the Gospel? The Holy Spirit fills us with courage, love, and boldness to make Jesus Christ known and loved. We do not need to fear those who oppose the Gospel, because the love of Jesus Christ is stronger than fear and death itself. His love conquers all, even our fears and timidity in the face of opposition and persecution. We can trust in his grace and help at all times. Are you ready to make the Lord Jesus known and loved, and if necessary to suffer for his sake and the sake of the Gospel? Ask the Lord Jesus to fill you with the power and grace of the Holy Spirit.
What gives us the power, boldness, and courage to witness to Jesus Christ and to the truth of the Gospel? The Holy Spirit fills us with courage, love, and boldness to make Jesus Christ known and loved. We do not need to fear those who oppose the Gospel, because the love of Jesus Christ is stronger than fear and death itself. His love conquers all, even our fears and timidity in the face of opposition and persecution. We can trust in his grace and help at all times. Are you ready to make the Lord Jesus known and loved, and if necessary to suffer for his sake and the sake of the Gospel? Ask the Lord Jesus to fill you with the power and grace of the Holy Spirit.
"Lord Jesus Christ, give me faith, boldness, and
courage to stand firm in the truth of the Gospel and to not waver in my
testimony of your love and mercy. Give me hope and joy in the promise of
everlasting life with you in your kingdom."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: The Weakness of the Tyrant and the Power of
the Beheaded, by John Chrysostom (347-407
AD)
"Note well the weakness of the tyrant compared to
the power of the one in prison. Herod was not strong enough to silence his own
tongue. Having opened it, he opened up countless other mouths in its place and
with its help. As for John, he immediately inspired fear in Herod after his
murder - for fear was disturbing Herod's conscience to such an extent that he
believed John had been raised from the dead and was performing miracles (Mark 6:14-16)!
In our own day and through all future time, throughout all the world, John
continues to refute Herod, both through himself and through others. For each
person repeatedly reading this Gospel says: 'It is not lawful for you to have
the wife of Philip your brother' (Mark 6:18). And even apart from reading the
Gospel, in assemblies and meetings at home or in the market, in every place...
even to the very ends of the earth, you will hear this voice and see that
righteous man even now still crying out, resounding loudly, reproving the evil
of the tyrant. He will never be silenced nor the reproof at all weakened by the
passing of time." (excerpt from ON
THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD 22.8-9)
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST 29, MARK 6:17-29
(2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18; Psalm 128)
(2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18; Psalm 128)
KEY VERSE: "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter" (v 25).
TO KNOW: Between the incidents of Jesus' sending forth the Twelve and their return, Mark inserted the story of the death of John the Baptist. Perhaps Mark wanted to indicate the fate that awaited the Apostles. Similarities can be seen between the death of John and Jesus. Both Herod and Pilate noted the holiness of the men whom they sentenced to death (Mk 6:20; Mt 27:24). Both John and Jesus were executed for speaking the truth and the disciples of both men came for their bodies and laid them in tombs (Mk 6:29; Mt 27:69-70). John suffered martyrdom for speaking against the illicit marriage of Herod and Herodias, the wife of his half-brother (Lv 18:16; 20:21). Out of spite, Herodias found the opportunity to have John put to death. During a banquet in honor of her husband's birthday, she told her daughter to ask for the head of the Baptist. Jesus said that from the days of John, the kingdom of God would suffer violence (Mt 11:11-12), which was fulfilled in Jesus' own passion and death.
TO LOVE: Am I willing to speak truth no matter how difficult the circumstances?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, give me the courage to speak when others oppose me.
Memorial of the Passion of Saint
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was a Jewish prophet who stood between the close of the Old Testament and the opening of the New Testament. He was a preacher in the time of Pontius Pilate (CE 26-36), announcing the coming of the Messiah of God. Like the prophet Elijah, John called the people to repentance and to a renewal of their covenant relationship with God. He was imprisoned and eventually put to death by Herod Antipas (son of Herod the Great, the Jewish king when Jesus was born). John denounced Herod's marriage to Herodias, the wife of his still-living half-brother Philip. In order to marry Herodias, Herod had divorced his first wife, the daughter of King Aretas of Damascus. The king subsequently made war on Herod, a war which, the Jewish historian Josephus tells us, was regarded by devout Jews as a punishment for Herod's murder of the prophet John.
John the Baptist was a Jewish prophet who stood between the close of the Old Testament and the opening of the New Testament. He was a preacher in the time of Pontius Pilate (CE 26-36), announcing the coming of the Messiah of God. Like the prophet Elijah, John called the people to repentance and to a renewal of their covenant relationship with God. He was imprisoned and eventually put to death by Herod Antipas (son of Herod the Great, the Jewish king when Jesus was born). John denounced Herod's marriage to Herodias, the wife of his still-living half-brother Philip. In order to marry Herodias, Herod had divorced his first wife, the daughter of King Aretas of Damascus. The king subsequently made war on Herod, a war which, the Jewish historian Josephus tells us, was regarded by devout Jews as a punishment for Herod's murder of the prophet John.
Wednesday 29
August 2018
The Passion of St John the Baptist.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18. Psalm 127(128):1-2, 4-5. Matthew
23:27-32.
Happy are those who fear the Lord—Psalm 127(128):1-2, 4-5.
‘May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in
all ways.’
The haunting psalm of Solomon – ‘If the Lord does not build the
house, in vain do the builders labour’ – is a constant theme reminding us of
the importance of God’s blessing in all we undertake. God is our peace and
refuge. Jesus castigated scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy in twisting
God’s laws to their own advantage and profit. He made no mention of God’s mercy
and forgiveness, almost washing his hands of them.
Ever loving Father, you know us as we are. We ask you for the
gifts of simplicity and sincerity of heart that we may follow you in your
faith, justice and love.
Martyrdom of John the Baptist
Saint of the Day for August 29
 |
| Salome with the Head of John the Baptist | Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio |
The Story of the Martyrdom of John the Baptist
The drunken oath of a king with a shallow sense of honor, a
seductive dance and the hateful heart of a queen combined to bring about the
martyrdom of John the Baptist. The greatest of prophets suffered the fate of so
many Old Testament prophets before him: rejection and martyrdom. The “voice
crying in the desert” did not hesitate to accuse the guilty, did not hesitate
to speak the truth. But why? What possesses a man that he would give up his
very life?
This great religious reformer was sent by God to prepare the
people for the Messiah. His vocation was one of selfless giving. The only power
that he claimed was the Spirit of Yahweh. “I am baptizing you with water, for
repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not
worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”
(Matthew 3:11).
Scripture tells us that many people followed John looking to him
for hope, perhaps in anticipation of some great messianic power. John never
allowed himself the false honor of receiving these people for his own glory. He
knew his calling was one of preparation. When the time came, he led his
disciples to Jesus: “The next day John was there again with two of his
disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God.’
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus” (John 1:35-37).
It is John the Baptist who has pointed the way to Christ. John’s
life and death were a giving over of self for God and other people. His simple
style of life was one of complete detachment from earthly possessions. His
heart was centered on God and the call that he heard from the Spirit of God
speaking to his heart. Confident of God’s grace, he had the courage to speak
words of condemnation, repentance, and salvation.
Reflection
Each of us has a calling to which we must listen. No one will
ever repeat the mission of John, and yet all of us are called to that very
mission. It is the role of the Christian to witness to Jesus. Whatever our
position in this world, we are called to be disciples of Christ. By our words
and deeds, others should realize that we live in the joy of knowing that Jesus
is Lord. We do not have to depend upon our own limited resources, but can draw
strength from the vastness of Christ’s saving grace.
LECTIO DIVINA: THE MARTYRDOM
OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
Lectio Divina:
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Ordinary Time
1) OPENING PRAYER
Father,
help us to seek the values
that will bring us enduring joy in this changing world.
In our desire for what You promise
make us one in mind and heart.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
help us to seek the values
that will bring us enduring joy in this changing world.
In our desire for what You promise
make us one in mind and heart.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) GOSPEL READING - MARK
6:17-29
Herod was the one who had John the
Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his
brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, "It is not
lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Herodias harbored a grudge
against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John,
knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he
heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She
had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his
courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias' own
daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The
king said to the girl, "Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to
you." He even swore many things to her, "I will grant you whatever
you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her
mother, "What shall I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John
the Baptist." The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her
request, "I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the
Baptist." The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the
guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an
executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in
the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The
girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they
came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
3) REFLECTION
• Today we commemorate the martyrdom of
Saint John the Baptist. The Gospel gives a description of how John the Baptist
was killed, without due process, during a banquet, a victim of the corruption
and arrogance of Herod and his court.
• Mark 6:17-20. The cause of the imprisonment and the beheading of John. Herod was an employee of the Roman Empire, who ruled in Palestine beginning in the year 63 BC. Caesar was the Emperor of Rome. He insisted above all in an efficient administration which would provide revenue for the Empire and for him. Herod’s concern was his own advancement and his security. This is why he suppressed any type of corruption. He liked to be called the benefactor of the people, but in reality he was a tyrant (cf. Lk 22:25). Flavius Josephus, a writer of that time, claims that the reason for the imprisonment of John the Baptist was the fear that Herod had of a popular uprising or revolt. John the Baptist’s denunciation of the depraved morality of Herod (Mk 6:18) was “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” and John was imprisoned.
• Mark 6:21-29: The plot of the murderer. The anniversary and banquet of the feast, with dancing and orgy, were the occasion for the beheading of John. It was an environment in which the powerful of the kingdom met together and in which alliances were formed. “The great of the court,” two officials and two important people from Galilee, participated in the feast. This was the environment in which the beheading of John the Baptist was decided. John, the prophet, was a living denunciation of that corrupt system, and this is why he was eliminated under the pretext of a personal obligation. All this reveals the moral weakness of Herod. So much power had accumulated in the hands of one man who had no self-control. In the enthusiasm of the feast, of the celebration and of wine, Herod makes a promise by oath to a young girl, a dancer. Superstitious as he was, he thought that he had to keep the promise. For Herod, the lives of his subjects were worthless. Mark gives an account of how the beheading happened and leaves the communities the task of drawing the conclusion.
• Between the lines, the Gospel today gives much information on the time in which Jesus lived and on the way in which power was exercised by the powerful of that time. Galilee, the land of Jesus, was governed by Herod Antipas, the son of King Herod, the Great, from the year 4 BC until the year 39 AD - 43 years! During the whole time of Jesus’ life on earth there was no change of government in Galilee! Herod was absolute lord of everything and did not render an account to anyone. He did as he pleased. In him there was arrogance, lack of ethics, absolute power, without any control on the part of the people!
• Herod constructed a new capital, called Tiberiades. Seffori, the ancient capital, was destroyed by the Romans in retaliation for a popular revolt. This happened when Jesus was about seven years old. Tiberiades, the new capital, was inaugurated thirteen years later, when Jesus was approximately 20 years old. The capital was given that name in order to please Tiberius, the Emperor of Rome. Tiberiades was a strange place in Galilee. That was the place where the king, “the great of the court”, the officials, the important people of Galilee lived (Mk 6:21). The landowners, the soldiers, the policemen lived there and also the judges, who were often insensitive and indifferent (Lk 18:1-4). The taxes and tributes and the products of the people were channeled there. It was there that Herod held his orgies of death (Mk 6:21-29). The Gospel does not say that Jesus entered the city.
During the 43 years of the government of Herod, a class of officials, faithful to the plans of the king, was created: the scribes, the merchants, the landowners, the tax collectors on the market, the tax collectors or publicans, the militia, policemen, judges, promoters, local heads. The majority of these people lived in the capital and enjoyed the privileges which Herod offered, for example, exemption from taxes. Others lived in the villages. In every village or city there was a group of people who supported the government. Several scribes and Pharisees were bound to the system and to the politics of the government. In the Gospels, the Pharisees appear together with the Herodians (Mk 3:6; 8:15; 12:13), and this shows the existing alliance between the religious and the civil powers. The life of the people in the villages of Galilee was very controlled, both by the government and by religion. It took much courage to begin something new, as John and Jesus did! It was the same thing as attracting to oneself the anger of the privileged ones, both those of the religious power as those of the civil power, both at local and state levels.
• Mark 6:17-20. The cause of the imprisonment and the beheading of John. Herod was an employee of the Roman Empire, who ruled in Palestine beginning in the year 63 BC. Caesar was the Emperor of Rome. He insisted above all in an efficient administration which would provide revenue for the Empire and for him. Herod’s concern was his own advancement and his security. This is why he suppressed any type of corruption. He liked to be called the benefactor of the people, but in reality he was a tyrant (cf. Lk 22:25). Flavius Josephus, a writer of that time, claims that the reason for the imprisonment of John the Baptist was the fear that Herod had of a popular uprising or revolt. John the Baptist’s denunciation of the depraved morality of Herod (Mk 6:18) was “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” and John was imprisoned.
• Mark 6:21-29: The plot of the murderer. The anniversary and banquet of the feast, with dancing and orgy, were the occasion for the beheading of John. It was an environment in which the powerful of the kingdom met together and in which alliances were formed. “The great of the court,” two officials and two important people from Galilee, participated in the feast. This was the environment in which the beheading of John the Baptist was decided. John, the prophet, was a living denunciation of that corrupt system, and this is why he was eliminated under the pretext of a personal obligation. All this reveals the moral weakness of Herod. So much power had accumulated in the hands of one man who had no self-control. In the enthusiasm of the feast, of the celebration and of wine, Herod makes a promise by oath to a young girl, a dancer. Superstitious as he was, he thought that he had to keep the promise. For Herod, the lives of his subjects were worthless. Mark gives an account of how the beheading happened and leaves the communities the task of drawing the conclusion.
• Between the lines, the Gospel today gives much information on the time in which Jesus lived and on the way in which power was exercised by the powerful of that time. Galilee, the land of Jesus, was governed by Herod Antipas, the son of King Herod, the Great, from the year 4 BC until the year 39 AD - 43 years! During the whole time of Jesus’ life on earth there was no change of government in Galilee! Herod was absolute lord of everything and did not render an account to anyone. He did as he pleased. In him there was arrogance, lack of ethics, absolute power, without any control on the part of the people!
• Herod constructed a new capital, called Tiberiades. Seffori, the ancient capital, was destroyed by the Romans in retaliation for a popular revolt. This happened when Jesus was about seven years old. Tiberiades, the new capital, was inaugurated thirteen years later, when Jesus was approximately 20 years old. The capital was given that name in order to please Tiberius, the Emperor of Rome. Tiberiades was a strange place in Galilee. That was the place where the king, “the great of the court”, the officials, the important people of Galilee lived (Mk 6:21). The landowners, the soldiers, the policemen lived there and also the judges, who were often insensitive and indifferent (Lk 18:1-4). The taxes and tributes and the products of the people were channeled there. It was there that Herod held his orgies of death (Mk 6:21-29). The Gospel does not say that Jesus entered the city.
During the 43 years of the government of Herod, a class of officials, faithful to the plans of the king, was created: the scribes, the merchants, the landowners, the tax collectors on the market, the tax collectors or publicans, the militia, policemen, judges, promoters, local heads. The majority of these people lived in the capital and enjoyed the privileges which Herod offered, for example, exemption from taxes. Others lived in the villages. In every village or city there was a group of people who supported the government. Several scribes and Pharisees were bound to the system and to the politics of the government. In the Gospels, the Pharisees appear together with the Herodians (Mk 3:6; 8:15; 12:13), and this shows the existing alliance between the religious and the civil powers. The life of the people in the villages of Galilee was very controlled, both by the government and by religion. It took much courage to begin something new, as John and Jesus did! It was the same thing as attracting to oneself the anger of the privileged ones, both those of the religious power as those of the civil power, both at local and state levels.
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Do you know any people who died as
victims of corruption and the dominion of the powerful? And here, among us, in
our community and in the Church, are there some victims of authoritarianism or
of the excess of power? Give an example.
• Superstition, corruption, cowardice marked the exercise of Herod’s power. Compare this with the exercise of religious and civil power today, in the various levels both of society and of the Church.
• Superstition, corruption, cowardice marked the exercise of Herod’s power. Compare this with the exercise of religious and civil power today, in the various levels both of society and of the Church.
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
In You, Yahweh, I take refuge,
I shall never be put to shame.
In Your saving justice rescue me,
deliver me, listen to me and save me. (Ps 71:1-2)
I shall never be put to shame.
In Your saving justice rescue me,
deliver me, listen to me and save me. (Ps 71:1-2)
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