Memorial of the
Passion of John the Baptist
(I Corinthians 1:17-25; Mark 6:17-29)
In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Julius Caesar, the protagonist says: "Cowards die many times
before their deaths. The valiant never taste of death but once." He is referring to the many occasions in
which cowards betray their consciences during their lifetimes by failing to do
what is right. King Herod proves himself
such a coward when he executes John the Baptist in today’s gospel.
Herod does not wish to be seen as a liar or a coward in
front of his guests. As he promised his
stepdaughter anything that she asks, he feels compelled to deliver the head of an
innocent man which she requests.
Ironically, Herod acts like the coward what he wants to avoid being
known as. A brave man would have scolded
his stepdaughter openly for making such an outrageous request.
On the other hand, John the Baptist showed real courage by
speaking out against a public scandal.
He put his life on the line by criticizing Herod for marrying his
brother’s wife. His death is rightly
memorialized through the centuries as a testimony to truth and decency.
