Memorial of the
Passion of John the Baptist
(II Thessalonians 3:6-10.16-18; 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." Caesar is referring to the many occasions in
which cowards betray their consciences. Out
of fear they fail to do what is right.
King Herod proves himself to be a coward in today’s gospel.
Herod fears that his guests will think of him as weak-kneed
for refusing to carry out the promise he made.
He also shows himself a coward for not reprimanding his stepdaughter for
her outrageous request. Quite the
opposite, John the Baptist shows real courage by speaking out against Herod for
causing a public scandal. He knows that
civic leaders should give good example to the people by living upright
lives.
We are being continuously jarred by the unseemly acts of
politicians. Marital infidelity and cavorting
with prostitutes are regular front-page features. We need to look to Jesus for a remedy. He will tell us not to cast stones on the
guilty. But he will add that their sins
cannot be tolerated. They should repent,
do penance, and find consolation from us.
After all, we too struggle at times to live righteously.
