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.

Heard of the reputation

1. John the Baptist. He became Herod’s conscience, constantly swirling around in his head, because he spoke the truth. He wouldn’t keep quiet; he spoke his mind. And of course, for telling the truth, they cut off his head – they destroyed him because he was annoying. Yes, anyone who tells the truth can be annoying… their actions, what they say, what they think. Don’t get depressed, keep defending the truth. Tough things will happen, but the truth will last. Only the truth will bring you peace. You’ll also face injustice. It’s better to be “beheaded” for telling the truth than to lose your way living a lie.
2. Herod. He’s a person who lives in his narcissism. People like him live in their own world, and everyone must fit in with it, and those who don’t, because they don’t do what is expected from them, are made to disappear. Don’t be that Herod who lives off the lives of others. Don’t seek to have all the spotlights shine on you. In this life, you must live without destroying anyone; don’t step on anyone’s head to excel yourself. Don’t seek applause, and even less for the things you do wrong, as Herod did. Today, it’s a disease to be Herod. Don’t be a person who wants to shine no matter what, not for their work, but by destroying others.
3. The head. Don’t let society make you lose your head. You must live in the truth. Don’t become a Herod. Don’t be afraid of the things you’ll have to face in life. Take care of your prayer and your roots; those are two things that will always guide you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t fall, be strong. The truth itself will help you overcome every blow. Don’t lose your mind with your own lies. You must be a prophet of Jesus. Announce Jesus and then speak out in his name.

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.