This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him

St. John the Baptist icon. St. George Greek Orthodox Church, rebuilt late 1800s.  Madaba, Jordan

 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.  So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

- Matthew 14:1-12

Yesterday we read that when Jesus had finished teaching parables we read in chapter 13,  He departed from there.  When He had come into His own country of Nazareth, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.  So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.  The story of the death of John the Baptist is given parenthetically in the Gospels; that is, it's a type of flashback, because it is given as explanation for why Herod believes that Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead.  It gives us a picture of Herod's dread, and assumption of why such power is at work in Jesus.  My study bible adds that in the tradition of the Church, John's martyrdom allowed the coming of the Messiah to be announced to the souls in Hades.  John is therefore Forerunner (his title in the Church) not only to Christ on earth, but also to all souls who came before.   John is also seen as a defender of marriage.  This story about John tells us of the great esteem in which the people held him, believing that he was a prophet and holy man.

In this story of the beheading of John, we're given a glimpse into the life of the palace of King Herod.  This Herod is Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great.  While Herod the Great ruled Judea for Rome, and was known as both ruthless tyrant (in a world in which rulers were known for their harshness, Herod stood out), and also a great builder, whose projects included the magnificent second temple.  Herod the Great was the king who slew the infants of Bethlehem.  Herod Antipas is his son, who is known as the tetrarch of Galilee, Jesus' home territory.  For those of the early Church, and the Jews of the time of Jesus, the story of Herod Antipas is quite shocking.  First of all, to ask a daughter to dance before men is already an insult to the contemporary importance of modesty, just as under particular circumstances it could also be to us today.  It is at once an indication of the excesses of this court.  Herod is married to his living brother's wife, which was a violation of Jewish laws of marriage.  (The contemporary historian Josephus writes that she violated Jewish law by divorcing her first husband; possible for a Roman woman, but not legal for a woman under Jewish law.)   Her daughter, who dances before the guests at this birthday party, is from her first marriage.   John's denunciation of this violation of the law is the reason why he was imprisoned in the first place, at the behest of Herodias.  Herodias herself was equally ambitious for power and position as any other figure of the time.    Their marriage would spark a war for political reasons that was disastrous for them.  Eventually both Herod and Herodias were sent to Gaul in exile.  But the events described in today's reading give us a sense of the selfishness that categorizes these royals:  all Herodias cares about is ridding herself of John the Baptist, the daughter's dance prompts a lavish and rash promise of whatever goods she wants, the daughter is manipulated by her mother into a horrific bargain for the head of a prophet and holy man.  It culminates in the gruesome image of John's head brought in on a platter at this birthday party, and given to the girl, who then gives it to her mother.  It is an absolute picture of selfishness, which the Gospel ultimately connects the worst sort of violence and murder.  Here we come to an important understanding of our faith:  while Christ's death on the Cross is the ultimate unselfish act, the greatest sacrifice made from love, the lives of Herod and Herodias resemble the worst excesses of selfishness, self-centeredness.  John the Baptist also has lived his life for God; he will be the model for the Christian monastics to come.  Ultimately, we can see in these figures a basic understanding of our faith.  We live in a world dominated by violence sparked from selfishness, for which the antidote is a life in which we seek to love God with all our heart and soul and strength, and neighbor as oneself (see 22:35-40).  The lives of John the Baptist and Jesus give us examples of those who lived such teachings to the fullest, as events unfolded for each, and we are to do likewise, with God's help.   In a world in which so much is offered to us through commerce, entertainment, and advertising, we may be tempted to feel that a life of selfish excess is not only a worthwhile goal, but one which the world chases around us.  In truth, our faith asks us to live differently, and not to go along with the easy lure of selfishness as a guide to happiness.  Just as that life gave no peace nor happiness to Herod or Herodias, so we also seek something wiser and better.  We hold to our faith to bring us a better life, one in which we have the peace of knowing and understanding that we are loved and we love in return, and that we have something more meaningful and better to live for.  Through our faith, we may consider that we live for a truly better world, in which we may leave traces of that love which God gives to us first, and asks us to return.  Whatever form the questions of your life take, consider this difference.  Look around at the violence in our own contemporary world, and consider where it comes from.  If we think today we are in any less of a struggle than the world into which Christ was born, we are mistaken.  Our mission, following Him, is as essential to this world as ever.  His struggle remains, and He asks us to join Him.   In the icon above, we read the story of John.  He's titled "Forerunner" for his message of preparation for the Messiah.  He holds his head on a platter, and a scroll upon which is his message of repentance (3:2).  He has wings like an angel, as John was the messenger of Christ, and the Greek word for angel (αγγελος/angelos) means "messenger."