“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Saturday, 5th August 2017.
Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lev 25: 1, 8-17;
Ps 67: 2-3, 5-8;
Mt 14: 1-12
HATE
In today’s Gospel, St. John the Baptist was beheaded at the request of Salome, the daughter of Herodias. John was in prison for speaking the truth to Herod regarding his marriage, and Herodias was filled with hate toward John. So Herodias had her daughter dance in the presence of Herod and his guests. Herod was so impressed, he promised Salome up to half of his kingdom. Instead, her request was for the head of John the Baptist. She asks for the death of a good and holy man. So why was there so much in Herodias and her daughter?
Herod was a worldly man. Perhaps Herod had too much to drink at his birthday; in this state he makes a very foolish promise, which his wife Herodias took advantage of. Herod is is pressured to do what he does not want to do because he is afraid of doing the right thing. He is overwhelmed by the hate in the heart of Herodias and, as a result, gives in to the execution of John whom he actually appeared to like and enjoyed listening to. Herod reluctantly beheads John and delivers the head to his wife. Herodias had no qualms of conscience to fulfill her wicked designs by influencing her daughter. This sad incident illustrates the power of anger in its most extreme form. When anger brews and grows it causes deep passion, so much so that it clouds a person’s thinking and reason. Hate and revenge can consume a person and lead to complete foolishness.
We should use the witness of John’s execution as an opportunity to look at any struggles we have with anger, resentment and especially hate. Hate is an ugly passion that can sneak in and cause much destruction in our lives and the lives of others. Even the beginnings of this disordered passion should be confessed and overcome.
Reflect, today: Have you held on to some grudge or bitterness that is not going away? Is that passion growing and causing damage to your life and the lives of others? If so, resolve to let go of it and forgive. It’s the right thing to do.
Prayer: Lord, give me the grace I need to look into my heart and see any tendencies of anger, resentment and hatred. Please purify me of these and set me free. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
