Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 14, 1-12
Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus
and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist.
He has been raised from the dead;
that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”
Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison
on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
for John had said to him,
“It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people,
for they regarded him as a prophet.
But at a birthday celebration for Herod,
the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests
and delighted Herod so much
that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for.
Prompted by her mother, she said,
“Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests who were present,
he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl,
who took it to her mother.
His disciples came and took away the corpse
and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.
A living proclamation
1. Fame. Honest and simple actions may cause many people to watch you cautiously and even expect you to fall, to laugh in your face. That’s why you should always be prudent, because if you shine brightly, some people will be glow, and others will be dazzled, because you annoy them. Jesus’s fame reached Herod. The same Jesus, who was salvation for some, was a complication for others. They felt their power and enjoyment of fame was menaced. You keep to yourself and be prudent so that when your actions reach others, you’ll know how to act if they attack you.
2. John the Baptist. He became Herod’s conscience because he spoke the truth. He was beheaded because he was a nuisance for Herod and his wife. Whoever speaks the truth sooner or later becomes an annoyance to some. Their words, their attitudes, the way they think are the cause of irritation. In life you have to be sincere and know how to carry the cross of sincerity. Many people like to live in lies or want to involve you in their lie. Ask Jesus to help you to always live in truth, and if you do fall into telling or living a lie, may those around not applaud your lies, but rather make you reconsider. There are times when the slap of truth spoken by a friend is preferable to the lying kiss of an enemy.
3. The King. There are times when we put aside our principles because we want to have power. Don’t not leave aside what makes you happy to hold a position. Don’t be tied to passions that can end up destroying the life of an innocent person. Many times, to satisfy your whims you end up ruining the life of others. Learn to control and discipline yourself. Be clear about where your life is going.
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
