Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Lectionary: 429/634
Lectionary: 429/634
Brothers and
sisters:
Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel,
and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,
so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written:
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the learning of the learned I will set aside.
Where is the wise one?
Where is the scribe?
Where is the debater of this age?
Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?
For since in the wisdom of God
the world did not come to know God through wisdom,
it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation
to save those who have faith.
For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
but we proclaim Christ crucified,
a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel,
and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,
so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written:
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the learning of the learned I will set aside.
Where is the wise one?
Where is the scribe?
Where is the debater of this age?
Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?
For since in the wisdom of God
the world did not come to know God through wisdom,
it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation
to save those who have faith.
For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
but we proclaim Christ crucified,
a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Responsorial Psalm PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11
R. (5) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
For upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;
he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
For upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;
he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Gospel MK 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. Why did Herod put
John to death when he knew him to be a righteous and holy man?
Herod was a weak ruler. 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.
Unfortunately for Herod, he could not rid himself of sin by ridding himself of
the man who confronted him with his sin.
Since
John's martyrdom to the present times the kingdom of heaven 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. Through Christ's
victory on the cross they obtain the glorious crown of victory and everlasting
life with 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 Christ known and loved,
and if necessary to suffer for his sake and the sake of the gospel?
"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 grace. Give me
hope and joy in the promise of everlasting life with you in your kingdom."
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Witness to the Truth |
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August
29, 2014. Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
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Mark 6:17-29
Herod
was the one who had John 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´s 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.
Introductory
Prayer: Lord, I
believe in your wondrous shining glory, although this is hidden from my eyes.
I hope in the peace and everlasting joy of the world to come, for this world
is a valley of tears. I love you, even though I am not always able to discern
the love in your intentions when you permit me to suffer. You are my God and
my all.
Petition: Lord, let me never fear the
consequences of speaking the truth.
1.
Speaking Truth to Power: Although
Herod was a cruel tyrant, John the Baptist did not hesitate to condemn his
adulterous conduct and to denounce his sin publicly. John was moved by the
Holy Spirit to give witness and teach the people that no one can legitimately
violate God’s commandments, not even a king. John did not fear the consequences
of his actions, because he knew that if he were faithful, God would be at his
side and never let him down, even if he had to suffer on account of the
truth. We, too, need to give courageous witness to our family, friends and to
the society at large. When we do, God will be with us and we will have
nothing to fear.
2.
It Was Something That You Said: Mark
tells us that Herod, although he resented what John said in accusing him of
adultery, nonetheless “like[d] to listen to him,” and he was “much perplexed.”
In his moral weakness, he persisted in his sin, yet the cries of the prophet
to repent did reach his conscience. Herod was in confusion. Something was
stirring in his conscience; the Holy Spirit was moving inside him to bring
him to true repentance for his sin. God never abandons the sinner, but gives
him grace to turn back to him. We should never lose hope for one who seems to
be lost and wandering in sin. We should always continue to speak the truth
with love and pray for a full conversion. God can change the heart of even
the worst of sinners. He has forgiven us so much, and he can forgive others
as well.
3.
A Conversion Cut Short: The
Gospel tells how Herod, in an imprudent promise to Herodias’ daughter, found
himself compromised and, for fear of losing face, had to order the beheading
of John the Baptist. Here his moral weakness overcame the first stirrings of
the grace of conversion. He closed his heart to God’s action due to his lust
and vanity, and he committed the terrible crime of murder of an innocent man.
How sin can darken the conscience and extinguish God’s grace in the heart of
a person given over only to satisfying their passions!
Conversation
with Christ: Lord,
I want to be faithful to your teachings and to be frank with those I love who
need to hear your word. I know that takes prudence, courage and
steadfastness. Help me to be true to you. Give me the grace of a good
conscience always to speak the truth with rectitude and love for your law.
Resolution: I will pray for the grace to witness
to the truth, “in season and out of season,” no matter what the consequences.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, MARK 6:17-29(1
Corinthians 1:17-25; Psalm 33)
KEY VERSE: "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter" (v 25).
READING: 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. 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. 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). 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.
REFLECTING: Am I willing to speak truth no matter how difficult the circumstances?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, give me the courage to speak the truth when others oppose me.
Memorial of the Passion of John the Baptist
John the Baptist was a Jewish preacher in the time of Pontius Pilate (CE 26-36). 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 divorced his first wife, the daughter of King Aretas of Damascus, who 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 preacher in the time of Pontius Pilate (CE 26-36). 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 divorced his first wife, the daughter of King Aretas of Damascus, who 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.
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord
‘Be watchful and ready.’The saying, ‘No prophet ever died in his bed’, is certainly true of John the Baptist, the last of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus described him as ‘a burning and shining lamp’ (John 5:35) and said of him, ‘Among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist’ (Matthew 11:11). Jesus warned his disciples that they too might suffer the same fate as John: ‘They will deliver you to tribulation’, he said, ‘and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name’ (Matthew 24:9). Though no such prospect looms for us, it is true that a measure of courage is called for on the part of all who follow one who said, ‘You must take up your cross daily’ (Luke 9:23).
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Unceasing Love
Those who pray learn to favor and prefer God’s judgment over that
of human beings. God always outdoes us in generosity and in receptivity. God is
always more loving than the person who has loved you the most!
August
29
Martyrdom of John the Baptist
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 or repentance, of
salvation.
Comment:
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.
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.
Quote:
“So they came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.’ John answered and said, ‘No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said [that] I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease’” (John 3:26–30).
“So they came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.’ John answered and said, ‘No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said [that] I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease’” (John 3:26–30).
LECTIO DIVINA:
THE MARTYRDOM OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
Lectio:
Friday, August 29, 2014
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
Now it was this same Herod who had sent to have John arrested,
and had had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's
wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, 'It is against the law for
you to have your brother's wife.' As for Herodias, she was furious with him and
wanted to kill him, but she was not able to do so, because Herod was in awe of
John, knowing him to be a good and upright man, and gave him his protection.
When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to
listen to him.
An opportunity came on Herod's birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, 'Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.' And he swore on her oath, 'I will give you anything you ask, even half 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 at once rushed back to the king and made her request, 'I want you to give me John the Baptist's head, immediately, on a dish.' 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.
At once the king sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring John's head. The man went off and beheaded him in the 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 about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
An opportunity came on Herod's birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, 'Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.' And he swore on her oath, 'I will give you anything you ask, even half 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 at once rushed back to the king and made her request, 'I want you to give me John the Baptist's head, immediately, on a dish.' 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.
At once the king sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring John's head. The man went off and beheaded him in the 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 about this, 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 a
process, during a banquet, victim of the corruption and arrogance of Herod and
of his court.
• Mark 6, 17-20. The cause of the imprisonment and murdering of John. Herod was an employee of the Roman Empire, who commanded in Palestine since the year 63 before Christ. Caesar was the Emperor of Rome. He insisted above all, in an efficient administration which would provide revenue for the Empire and for him. The concern of Herod was his own promotion and his security. This is why he repressed 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). Flavio Giuseppe, a writer of that time, informs that the reason for the imprisonment of John the Baptist was the fear that Herod had of a popular uprising or revolt. The denunciation of John the Baptist’s against the depraved morality of Herod (Mk 6, 18), was the drop which made the glass overflow, 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 murdering of John. It was an environment in which the powerful of the kingdom met together and in which the alliances were formed. In the feast participated “the great of the court, two officials and two important persons from Galilee”. This was the environment in which the murdering 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 vengeance. All this reveals the moral weakness of Herod. So much power accumulated in the hands of one man who had no control of self. 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 made by oath. For Herod, the life of the subjects was worthless. This is how Mark gives an account of the fact as it happened and leaves the communities the task of drawing the conclusion.
• Between lines, the Gospel today gives much information on the time in which Jesus lived and on the way in which the power was exercised on the part of 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 before Christ until the year 39 after Christ, 43 years! During the whole time of the life of Jesus 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 against the popular revolt. This happened when Jesus was about seven years old. Tiberiade, 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. Tiberiade 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 (Mc 6, 21). The landowners, the soldiers, the policemen lived there and also the judges, who, many times were insensitive, and indifferent (Lk 18, 1-4). The taxes and tributes and the products of the people were channelled there. It was there that Herod held his orgies of death (Mk 6, 21-29). The Gospel does not say the Jesus entered the city.
During the 43 years of the government of Herod, a class of officials, faithful to the project 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 persons 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 persons 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. Much courage was necessary to begin something new, as John and Jesus did! It was the same thing as to attract on 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 murdering of John. Herod was an employee of the Roman Empire, who commanded in Palestine since the year 63 before Christ. Caesar was the Emperor of Rome. He insisted above all, in an efficient administration which would provide revenue for the Empire and for him. The concern of Herod was his own promotion and his security. This is why he repressed 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). Flavio Giuseppe, a writer of that time, informs that the reason for the imprisonment of John the Baptist was the fear that Herod had of a popular uprising or revolt. The denunciation of John the Baptist’s against the depraved morality of Herod (Mk 6, 18), was the drop which made the glass overflow, 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 murdering of John. It was an environment in which the powerful of the kingdom met together and in which the alliances were formed. In the feast participated “the great of the court, two officials and two important persons from Galilee”. This was the environment in which the murdering 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 vengeance. All this reveals the moral weakness of Herod. So much power accumulated in the hands of one man who had no control of self. 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 made by oath. For Herod, the life of the subjects was worthless. This is how Mark gives an account of the fact as it happened and leaves the communities the task of drawing the conclusion.
• Between lines, the Gospel today gives much information on the time in which Jesus lived and on the way in which the power was exercised on the part of 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 before Christ until the year 39 after Christ, 43 years! During the whole time of the life of Jesus 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 against the popular revolt. This happened when Jesus was about seven years old. Tiberiade, 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. Tiberiade 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 (Mc 6, 21). The landowners, the soldiers, the policemen lived there and also the judges, who, many times were insensitive, and indifferent (Lk 18, 1-4). The taxes and tributes and the products of the people were channelled there. It was there that Herod held his orgies of death (Mk 6, 21-29). The Gospel does not say the Jesus entered the city.
During the 43 years of the government of Herod, a class of officials, faithful to the project 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 persons 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 persons 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. Much courage was necessary to begin something new, as John and Jesus did! It was the same thing as to attract on 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 persons who died 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 power of Herod. 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 power of Herod. 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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