Memorial
of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
(I
Thessalonians 2:1-8; Mark 6:17-29)
Lord of
the Flies tells the story of a group of schoolboys shipwrecked on a
deserted island. They have to rely on
their wits for survival. At first they work together and establish a
rescue plan. Not long afterwards,
however, two factions develop with the members of one hunting down those of the
other. The drama conveys the idea that people by nature treat others cruelly,
at least when no one is looking. Many
reject this base opinion of human nature, but often enough human atrocities
occur - like the attempted genocide of Jews by the Nazis - that defy its dismissal. The story of John the Baptist's beheading
also gives an air of plausibility to the gloomy opinion of humanity.
Herod recognizes John as "righteous and holy." The
gospel today sounds almost as if he wants to keep John close-by to provide
spiritual guidance. But as aware as
Herod is to John's goodness, he cannot rise above his own pride. Because he promises Herodias' daughter
anything that she asks, he executes the eminently honorable man in order to
appear true to his word. A decent person
would have apologized for his foolhardy promise and disciplined the youngster
for her outrageous request.
We are wise not to deny our capacity to sin grievously and to
thank God every day that we have avoided offending Him. It is His grace, given through Christ, which
turns us from our wounded nature into people who love and desire the good.
