This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!

 

 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  

 

Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  

 

Then an opportune day came when  Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

 

- Mark 6:13–29 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus went out from Capernaum and came to His own country of the town of Nazareth in Galilee, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

 

  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  This first verse appears as part of the story in yesterday's reading (above), in which we're given the first missionary journey of the apostles.  It describes what has taken place on that mission, and Christ's power evident in this new ministry.  It is an important contextual setting for the story of King Herod and John the Baptist.

 

 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."   As Christ becomes more well-known, the powers that rule for Rome have taken note of Him and His ministry.  This King Herod is Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, king of Judea, who slew the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16).  Herod Antipas was technically the governor of Galilee, but he was popularly called king.  He knows that John the Baptist performed no miracles while he was living, but now believes John has been raised from the dead, thinking powers are at work in him (having heard of the miracles of Jesus).  So, therefore, my study Bible notes, he fears John more dead than alive.

 

 Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  My study Bible explains that Elijah was expected to return and work signs before the second coming of the Lord (Malachi 4:5).  The Prophet is interpreted by some, it says, to be a reference to the Messiah, the One foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).  Others interpret this to mean a new prophet had arisen.  

 

 But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  The story of the beheading of John the Baptist is given parenthetically.  It explains John's earlier death so that hearers would understand why Herod would think that John had risen from the dead.  My study Bible notes that Herod, with his wealth and soldiers feared John, who was a man who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (Mark 1:6).  It calls this a testament to the power of personal holiness and integrity, and also to the people's perception of John, as he was held in the highest esteem (Mark 11:32).  The reason why Herod's marriage was not lawful was because his brother was still living.  

 

 Then an opportune day came when  Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.  Here the story is given of the death of John the Baptist.  For Christ's Jewish contemporaries Herod's court is scandalous.  To allow a daughter to dance before these men is a violation of notions of modesty and protection, an open encouragement of lasciviousness.  The extravagance of Herod's possibly drunken oath, to give the girl "whatever you want" also tells us something about his character.  The girl's immediate acceptance of the word of her violent mother is another indication of the spiritual ills of this court.  We should keep in mind, as indicated above, that John was so highly revered among the people as a holy man that Herod had protected him.  But even so, Herod is of such a weak character that he cannot back down from his oath sworn to the girl in front of the others.  The bloodthirsty nature of a prophet's head presented on a platter by a "pleasing" daughter at a birthday feast needs no elaboration.

 

 In the tradition of the Orthodox church, the beheading of John the Baptist is remembered on August 29th with a day of fasting.  This same date of commemoration for the martyrdom of John the Baptist is also held in the Catholic and Anglican churches.  My study Bible explains that as part of God's plan of salvation, John's martyrdom allowed the coming of the Messiah to be announced to the souls in Hades, for John was the forerunner of Christ there as well as on earth.  There is a Matins hymn for that day which proclaims of John, "Your tongue, which constantly speaks of God, has preceded Christ into death and is sent to preach Him to those in Hades."   This is the way in which the Church views the full story of St. John the Baptist; as a martyr, death did not stop him from fulfilling his holy mission and service to God, even continuing his role as forerunner ("Forerunner" is one of his titles in the Church).  This reflects again something observed in yesterday's reading and commentary, the spread of the gospel even after it is seemingly stopped or suppressed.  Just as Jesus compared the growth of the Kingdom to a mustard seed producing a large plant that can give shade to the birds of air, so we find that, like a plant that can emerge even through cement or rocks, in the tradition of the Church, John the Baptist's martyrdom did not stop his mission or ministry, just as Christ's death opened the way for Resurrection and Pentecost.  We can view the terribly bloodthirsty, greedy, self-indulgent story of King Herod's birthday party as exemplifying characteristics that are aligned with the works of evil in the world, and perceive this story in some sense as that of two opposing spiritual forces "hidden in plain sight" as the saying goes.  For this really is the overall story of Christ's saving mission and ministry in the world.  What looks like defeat is usually a step toward a new expansion of the mission in one form or another, which we cannot predict.  Indeed, it is the entire story of salvation, from the Old Testament through the New.  It teaches us once more that regardless of what we think we see in the world, we also look to realities behind appearances, and our work in our present generation is simply to always remember whom we serve and what things we must be about (John 14:23-24).  For as faithful, we each have our own service and missions to live our faith.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee

 

   Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  

 

Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to th king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples hears of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

 

- Mark 6:14–29 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus came to His own country of Nazareth in Galilee, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house." Now He could do not mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.   And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. 

 Now King Herod heard of Jesus, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  This King Herod was the son of the one who slew the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16).  His father was known as Herod the Great, and the king in today's reading is Herod Antipas who rules for Rome over Galilee.  Although he was technically called a governor, my study Bible explains, he was popularly called king.  He knows that John the Baptist worked no miracles while he lived, but now -- because of the events of the first apostolic mission of Christ's disciples -- he believes that John was raised from the dead, thinking that powers are at work in him.  So, therefore, he fears John more dead than alive.

Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  Elijah was expected to return and work signs before the second coming of the Lord (Malachi 4:5).  The Prophet, according to my study Bible, is interpreted by some to be a reference to the Messiah, the One foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15), while others interpret it to simple mean that a new prophet had arisen.  

 

 But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.   The account that begins here, and that makes up of our reading for today, is given parenthetically, explaining John's death and how it came about, so that we can understand why Herod fears that John has risen from the dead.  My study Bible comments on the fact that Herod, with his wealth and soldiers, feared John, a man who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (Mark 1:6).  It notes that this is a testament both to the power of personal holiness and integrity, and also to the people's perception of John, for he was held in the highest esteem (Mark 11:32). 

Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to th king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples hears of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.  My study Bible tells us that, as part of God's plan of salvation, John's martyrdom allowed the coming of the Messiah to be announced to the souls in Hades, for John was the forerunner of Christ there as well as in our world.  It notes that the beheading of John the Baptist is remembered on August 29th in the Orthodox, and also in other Churches, both Catholic and Protestant.  An Orthodox hymn sung at Matins for this day declares, "Your tongue, which constantly speaks of God, has preceded Christ into death and is sent to preach Him to those in Hades."

Note the scandalous bloodthirstiness and indulgent lascivious nature of Herod's court on display.  These are things that surely scandalized the Jews under Roman occupation.  First of all there is John the Baptist who is clearly a representative of the Law.  (In fact John is considered to be the last and greatest of the Old Testament type prophets.)  He is imprisoned in the first place because he chastises the king and queen in that their marriage is unlawful; for Herod's brother had been married to her and he is still living.  But even Herod knew that John was a just and holy man.  Therefore, he heard him gladly.   The language of the text is indicative of something evil coming into play, when we read, then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  For this is the same language we read in Luke's Gospel, after Christ's temptations by the devil.  Luke 4:13 reads, "Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time."   What provides the opportunity for the martyrdom of John the Baptist is the setting of Herod's birthday party, and more specifically Herod's undisciplined susceptibility to flattery and vanity.  His nobles and "chief men" are present, he allows himself to swear an oath to the girl whose dancing impressed him (again, scandalous behavior to the Jews, to parade a daughter in this way among all of these men), and his inability to say no although he knows John to be a "just and holy man."  It's the opportunity for Herodias' power-hungry and murderous behavior, directing her daughter to ask for such a horrific "present."  We can only imagine what a hideous and bloody scene that was, like a special dish presented on a platter and given to the daughter, and a daughter trained to be dutiful to her mother's evil behavior in turn putting it before her mother like a special dish prepared for this birthday feast.  Herod and Herodias, due to their maneuvering for power, would die in exile themselves.  But all of the story speaks to passions run amuck and used for perverse purposes, the "opportune time" for evil influence.  And the result is that when Herod hears later of Jesus, he fears that it is John who has arisen from the dead, imagining that John has returned with a kind of arcane power to use.  What we might observe here is the progression from bad to worse, and how giving in to our passions allows unforeseen consequences and bad actors to manipulate us in our weaknesses and temptations.  It enforces for us the importance of repentance and of self-knowledge, of learning to say "no" to self-indulgence, and especially of the need for the practice of discernment and prayer to keep us on a good road in our lives.  For the word of God is "living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" as St. Paul tells us (Hebrews 4:12).  This Word, we know, is Christ, and He is the way, the truth, and the life that we need to guide us through our vulnerabilities (John 14:6).  Let us always remember God.

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

 

 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 Philips'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 it came to pass, when Jesus had finished teaching His parables (see Matthew 13:1-52), that He departed from there.  When He had come to His own country, 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."   We know by now that the Pharisees and scribes have begun to plot how to destroy Jesus (see, for example, this reading).  Yesterday's reading (above) gave us the understanding of Christ's rejection in His hometown of Nazareth.  But here the Gospel begins to let us know of the powerful state of Rome now taking an interest in Jesus, and fearing Him.  Herod has heard of Christ's "mighty works" and His wisdom, and his fear is that Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead -- and that this is why 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 Philips'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.     This account of the beheading and death of John the Baptist is given as a kind of parenthetical story, to explain to us why Herod fears so strongly that Jesus is John the Baptist returned from the dead with fearsome powers.  This Herod is Herod Antipas, ruler or tetrarch of Galilee.  John the Baptist had criticized his marriage to Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, while his brother was still living, by saying it was not in compliance with Jewish law.  So Herod had put John in prison.  Note all the fears of Herod:  he feared the multitude, because they counted John 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.  Note this story about the death of John the Baptist.  It is a festive occasion, Herod's birthday.   The daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  For the Jews, such a public act by a daughter before a court of men would have been scandalous to begin with.  But Herod is carried away by his passions, and promised even with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  Of course, the daughter turns to her mother, (likely the one who prompted her to dance to please the king in the first place) who schools her in the ways of corruption and political scheming.  "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter" is her request.  Although the king has enough awareness to be sorry (after all, he is at least nominally meant to be a Jew and was raised as such), because of his oath and because of those who sat with him (the "great men" of Galilee), he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  

The story in today's reading comes with a very sobering two-point conclusion:  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.  There is first of all the extreme corruption of the court, of the court of Herod who ruled for Rome.  The family of Herod the Great (Antipas' father) and his descendants was known for its ruthlessness even in comparison with his counterparts of the time.  We can see what a "bloodthirsty" story is written here, an almost sickening example of a daughter's pleasing gift to her mother.  But we must take it in light of the reading from yesterday, in which Jesus taught that "a prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house" (see above).  For the story of John the Baptist is a story of another prophet -- the last and greatest in the line of the Old Testament prophets -- who has died for telling the truth, for his holiness, for "speaking truth to power" as a by-now familiar modern slogan goes.  The truth of John the Baptist was his identity as the friend of the Bridegroom, who rejoiced to hear the Bridegroom's voice, and who proclaimed the coming of the Messiah/Bridegroom, teaching the people to prepare with repentance.  In this story juxtaposed with that understanding we are perhaps given yet another picture in the gospel of what it means not to repent.  This final conclusion is one more downward step in a march further and further into corruption.  Even Herod himself is sorry to kill John -- and we can read the outcome in his paranoid fears (and lack of spiritual understanding) about Jesus.  The actions at Herod's court go from bad to worse, and they reflect specific things Jesus has taught against in the Sermon on the Mount.  There is first of all the lasciviousness of the court hinted at in this dance of the daughter (Matthew 5:28).  Modern eyes and ears may not understand this well, but we perhaps should not read this story as if what was impressive was her formal dance training or creativity.  She stirs the passions so that Herod lavishly bestows a rash gift -- together with an oath (see Matthew 5:33-37).  He is afraid to take back his words in front of the other important men of his kingdom who attend, and so displays another quality frowned on by Christ, the love of the praise of others over the praise of God (John 12:42-43).  Finally, the disciples of John come to take his body to bury it, and to tell Jesus.  But at this sad conclusion we should turn our attention to the perspective of our faith.  For we have recently read of Christ's strong praise of John (while he was in prison), and His defense of John as well (see Matthew 11:1-24).   John the Baptist wears the crown of Christian martyrdom, but there is more to his story from the perspective of the Church.  In the tradition of the Church, John's martyrdom is seen as yet another part of God's plan for salvation.  For not only did John prepare the world for the Incarnate Christ, the Messiah, but his martyrdom allowed the coming of the Messiah to be announced to the souls in Hades.  Therefore, in the eyes of the Church, John is forerunner to Christ there as well as on earth.  My study Bible quotes a hymn from St. John's feast day:  "Your tongue, which constantly speaks of God, has preceded Christ into death and is sent to preach Him to those in Hades."   Moreover, John's life is a testimony to the power of personal holiness and integrity, as my study Bible says.  For John, who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (Mark 1:6), is feared by Herod with all his wealth and soldiers -- as well as the highest esteem in which the people held John.  Even after his death, John continues to be feared by Herod.  Let us consider, then, these stark choices between the realities of the material world, on "worldly" terms, and the reality of the Kingdom and its holiness for us.  For it is surprising how much the world, despite our easy lack of perception and understanding, really is affected by the holy power that is at work behind all things, and does permeate the creation of the world.  Let us consider John's life and what it meant to the future of the world, to the faith given to the world through Christ, and in the power of the faith we are given today.

 

 

 

Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter

 

 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 the parables given in Matthew's chapter 13, He departed from there.  When He had come to 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."  At this time, Christ's ministry and reputation for His healing and works have expanded enough so that Herod the tetrarch has heard the report about Jesus.  This is Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great (who was the king who slew the innocents of Bethlehem; see Matthew 2).  Herod Antipas was commonly called king, but he ruled for Rome and was thus tetrarch of Galilee.  Today's reading is given as a kind of parenthetic explanation about why Herod feared Christ so much:  he believes that Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead, and this is the explanation for the powers that Christ reveals through His ministry.  John the Baptist had criticized Herod Antipas for his marriage to his wife Herodias, who was formerly married to Herod's brother Philip, while Philip was still living -- as this was contrary to Jewish law.  

And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  This gives us the setting in Galilee at the time of Herod's rule as tetrarch.  John the Baptist was widely revered as a holy man and prophet.  In the Church John is understood a the last and greatest of the Old Testament type prophets, and the Forerunner to Christ who prepared the people for the Messiah (see Matthew 3).  So, Herod feared the multitude.

 

  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.  Here we're given the quite gory spectacle of the goings on in the palace of Herod Antipas.  It is not far removed from the behavior of the entire reign of the family of Herod the Great, who, even at a time of ruthless rulers in the world, was considered to be particularly cruel among his peers.  

It's important to note the excesses on display in today's reading which characterize Herod's rule and his court, because these were things that would scandalize the Jews of his time, and they are also examples of behaviors and self-indulgence the Church has historically scorned.  Indeed, the point of Christian discipleship (particularly as exemplified in the traditions of monasticism and the teachings of the Church) is self-mastery, the opposite of the behavior we see here.  First, there is the display of Herodias' daughter dancing before his court and the important men of his kingdom.  This lack of modesty -- especially by a daughter in front of a group of men -- would have scandalized the people.  Indeed, even with today's modern Western standards, we don't think highly of anyone who would display a daughter in sexually suggestive ways before friends (especially a group of powerful men).  Then there is Herod's rash oath that promised he would give her whatever she might ask.  Christ preached against swearing oaths at all, and in this excessive, over-extravagant behavior by Herod we can see why, and what it can lead to.  Because he's sworn this oath of promise in front of his court (because of those who sat with him), he can't back down, even when it comes to choosing between saving face and beheading one even he considers to be holy.  And so this bloody, murderous, hideous "family" spectacle in some way becomes normative for the reality and practices of Herod's court, although he calls himself a Jew:  John the Baptist's head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Here there is indulgence in the excesses of human passions all around:  murderous hatred, vicious plotting for power, disregard for things that are holy, the zeal of a rash oath and promise, a daughter's sensual display for the men of the court, and the bloodthirsty drive for vengeance by Herodias for the one who would stand in her way to power.  (Due to their schemes, both Herod Antipas and Herodias would end their lives in failed plots for power and death in exile.)  But we "moderns" should look at this story and understand what it meant to the audience of its time and has historically indicated regarding Christians and our own behaviors.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preaches against swearing oaths (Matthew 5:33-35), against murder and unrighteous anger (Matthew 5:21-26), against adultery in the heart and the cultivation of excessive lust (Matthew 5:27-30), against divorce without moral reason (Matthew 5:31-32), against excessive vengeance and retribution (Matthew 5:38-48).  Indeed, Herod's fear of John raised from the dead teaches us about effects of such behaviors on personality.  He also displays his immaturity and foolishness in that the only thing that matters to him is the praise of men, rather than the praise of God (John 12:42-43).  So, we might say that the behavior on display in this story of Herod's court teaches us precisely about those excesses of passion against which Christ has explicitly preached.  It is a kind of warning about what sort of society and behaviors result when all passions are indulged and there are no responsible curbs on self-indulgent and what we might call extreme grandiose behavior.  The capacity to have power and wealth to exercise such self-indulgences only magnifies the possibilities for such.  Notably, this also shapes a warning to us, who live in a society of affluence and consumer options no one could have dreamed of in Christ's time.  In our popular media we have every sort of indulgence praised by those who offer entertainments which seek to top one another in spectacle, and that includes violence, even celebrations of things traditionally and widely considered to be evil, as well as symbols of such.  Our consumer society, social movements, and even cultural changes have praised the concept of indulgence, but we rarely come to grips with the social ills created by such in a pragmatic and compassionate way that shows its downside.  Rage becomes a currency of self-expression.  In the worst of excesses the world will show us, rage is used a political weapon of violence and the worst pictures of vengeance.  And this is the world brought to us through our saturation with media and entertainments to be consumed.  Without the normative restraints on excesses of passions, without a kind of self-corrective understanding of what it means to be in control of impulses, as was historically understood to be desirable and praiseworthy self-mastery in order to serve pragmatic rational and moral choices, what results?  Couple this with a reliance on public image and an inability to stand up to a crowd baying for blood, and what will be the outcome?  Let us concern ourselves first with orienting ourselves toward our faith and the wisdom contained therein.  Where are our emphases and priorities in life?  What comes first, and what is prized?  In the end, what we really possess are ourselves and how we shape and conduct our lives, our choices, our habits and practices -- our capacity to be centered upon what makes for our peace, from the very personal and internal to the wider world and every stage in between.  Let us ponder the things we lose when we give up what He has taught, and what has been cherished and prized as wisdom.  Without it we will sorely lack maturity and leadership.

This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!

 

 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  

 

For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

 

- Mark 6:14–29 

 

On Saturday, we read that Jesus and came to His own country of Nazareth, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.   

 

 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."   My study Bible explains that this King Herod (also known as Herod Antipas) was the son of the one who slew the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16).  Although he was technically a governor of Rome, he was popularly called king.  He knows that John the Baptist had worked no miracles while living, my study Bible explains, but he now believes that John was raised from the dead, and so powers are at work in him.  Hence, he fears John more dead than alive.

 

 Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  According to a prophecy of Malachi, Elijah was expected to return and to work signs before the second coming of the Lord (Malachi 4:5).  The Prophet, my study Bible says, is interpreted by some to be a reference to the Messiah, the One who was foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).  Others interpret it as simply meaning that a new prophet had arisen.  

But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"    My study Bible comments on the fact that Herod, with his wealth and soldiers, feared John -- a man who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (Mark 1:6).  It notes that Herod's fear is a testament both to the power of personal holiness and integrity, and also to the people's perception of John, as they held him in the highest esteem (Mark 11:32).  

 

For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.   Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.   This story of the arrest and beheading of John the Baptist comes as a parenthetical account, so that we understand why Herod would think that John had risen from the dead.    

My study Bible (and the text) emphasizes the fear that Herod has of Jesus, because Herod fears that Jesus is John the Baptist returned from the dead.  This is the way that Herod explains to himself the power that is revealed in Christ's ministry of miraculous healings and casting out of demons.  What it teaches to us, remarkably, is Herod's lack of understanding of spiritual matters.  Indeed, this understanding on the part of listeners is quite important.  Herod Antipas knew that John the Baptist was a holy man; John was widely revered as a holy figure in his own time, and many of Christ's disciples were first those of John the Baptist, John having directed them to Jesus (John 1:35-51).   Despite the depravity of Herod's family (his father, Herod the Great, was known for his ruthlessness even in a time of ruthless rulers), the text tells us that "Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him."  In this location and elsewhere we're told of a kind of fascination that Herod Antipas has for the holy.  It is almost as if he views John here as a kind of unusual treasure which he can marvel at; we're told that when Herod heard [John the Baptist], he did many things, and heard him gladly.  We can see a similar pattern with Jesus, in the passage in which we read that Pilate sent Jesus to Herod when Pilate found that Jesus was from Galilee (Luke 23:6-12).  There, we're told that "when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing."  Herod, disappointed, sends Jesus back to Pilate -- but not before "Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe."  We can see a kind of a pattern.  In today's reading the story is not about a contemptuous punishment for failure to cooperatively amuse, but the treatment of the holy virtually amounts to the same thing -- as a kind of testimony of what blindness and darkness does.  John's Gospel tells us that "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it" (John 1:5), and this pattern is upheld in these stories.  In the darkness of the court of Herod, both John the Baptist and Jesus shine as the light of holiness, of God's truth and presence.  But in Herod we see a lack of comprehension, as he seems to see both as objects for his acquisition and privileged pleasure.  The merciless acquisitiveness of this environment is clear in the story:  Herod's scheming wife, Herodias, simply wants John put to death so she can get rid of his troublesome voice opposing their marriage in the name of Jewish law.  This again, is a picture of darkness, as it is similar in motivation and content to the "rulers of this age" as mentioned by St. Paul, who could not understand what was being done in crucifying Christ (1 Corinthians 2:7-8).  The "rulers of this age" in this case refers to the demonic powers behind such acts attacking and opposing holiness, and seeking to exterminate God's influence from the world; they cannot understand their condemnation that results, let alone the power of holiness that transfigures the death of Christ into the greatest weapon against death itself (the final enemy) that ever was or will be.  Herodias similarly believes she will get what she wants, but neither she nor Herod would truly benefit from her deadly political scheming in the long run, and both would die out of power and in exile.  The lasciviousness of this court -- allowing a daughter to dance before men gathered under such circumstances -- would have been scandalous to Jewish readers of the time.  This is in addition to the king's childish and rash behavior, swearing such an oath, and unable to back down from it because of his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men.  This is a picture of extravagance in every wrong direction (even the gruesome) and through every passion, and we see its effects.  What Herod wishes to do in his interactions with the Baptist, and later on with Christ, is use them for his amusement.  This is what one does with a possession, a captive -- or perhaps with some form of treasure, a bauble purchased for delight.  And here we come to a sense of how not to approach the holy, the treasures of faith, and Christ Himself.  For God offers us a gift, and if we cannot recognize the Giver, then we don't understand the gift nor its real value for us.  For this is a gift to transform who we are into something transcendent of our start, which leads us into deeper beauty in freedom, not ownership.  God's power asks us not for our ways to use it, but for our hearts and minds so that we grow in what it offers, and discard the things to which we cling which are not part of its beauty and truth.  Herod can only understand holy power in terms of demons and ghosts, not the redemptive power of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit freely given to all who can accept.

This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!

 

 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. 

Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb. 

 

- Mark 6:13–29 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus went from Capernaum and came to His own country of Nazareth, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

 

 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  This last verse from yesterday's reading is also included with today's reading.  It reminds us that the apostles have just been sent out on their first mission, going out into the world invested with the power of Christ which He has shared with them.  It is a reminder of what has begun to actively happen in the world, and sets the stage for Herod's awareness of -- and unease with -- the ministry of Jesus.

Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  This King Herod is the son of the Herod who slew the infants in Bethlehem of Judea (Matthew 2:16).  He is also known as Herod Antipas and rules Galilee as a governor, or "tetrarch" for Rome, but is commonly called a king.  He knows that John the Baptist worked no miracles while he was living, but now suspects that John was raised from the dead, and that powers are at work in him.  Therefore, my study bible says, he fears John more dead than alive.

Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  My study bible says that Elijah was expected to return and work signs before the second coming of the Lord, in a popular understanding of the prophecy in Malachi 4:5.  The Prophet, some say, is a reference to the Messiah, the One foretold by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15.  Others understand this to mean just that a new prophet had arisen.

But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  My study bible notes here that Herod feared John.  The remarkable fact that Herod -- with all his wealth and power and soldiers at his command -- feared John, who lived in such radical poverty and humility that he was clothed in camel's hair (Mark 1:6), is a testament to the power of personal holiness and integrity, says my study bible.  It's also an acknowledgement of the people's understanding of John, for he was held in the highest esteem (Mark 11:32).  

Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."   And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.  The story of the death of John the Baptist is given parenthetically.   That is, it is given to us in an explanation of just why Herod Antipas fears Jesus, and that he is afraid Jesus is John raised from the dead.  After this flashback, the text will pick up the story of Christ from where the first verse left off.  (That will continue in tomorrow's lectionary reading).  My study bible explains that in the theology of the Church, John's martyrdom fit within God's plan for salvation.  It allowed the coming of the Messiah to be announced by John to the souls in Hades, as John was the forerunner of Christ both on earth and to the souls dwelling there who had passed.  

Let us examine Herod's fears about John.  First of all, I think it's essential to take at face value that his fear that John has risen from the dead, and is a kind of ghostly presence causing extraordinary phenomena, isn't so strange in terms of popular beliefs of the time.  On another level, it reflects Herod's own understanding that John was a just and holy man, and Herod's unconscious guilt over what he had done by accepting John's beheading through of a rash oath made in front his guests.  It is a strange picture, indeed, as my study bible points out, that Herod fears John.  He rules with the absolute power of Rome, and yet he could not say no to the girl, Herodias' daughter, in front of the important people at his birthday party.  This gives rise to another kind of understanding of Herod:  his immaturity.  It would seem that his own sense of "honor" leads him to do something that betrays his soul, and carries him far away from any understanding of religious faith or right relationship to God.  His faith, instead, is in the human power he cherishes, and the rest of his life will sadly reflect this.   If we think of John the Baptist as a possibly hopeful sign in Herod's life (regardless of why he is there), we will come to understand this better.  John was a prophet, and even Herod knew he was a just and holy man, as the text says.  And although John was held against his will and imprisoned, he nevertheless remains a prophetic figure even in prison and in the palace of Herod.  He does not lose this function and power.  If we want to see a kind of parallel reality in the Gospel, we can look at the tradition of the Church, which tells us that John the Baptist, as Christ's Forerunner, also preached the advent of the Messiah in Hades.  One may picture John held in prison in the palace of Herod as akin to being in Hades.  While Herod still has time to come to some faithful understanding, he may listen to John and learn -- even as we're told he already recognizes John as a holy man, and he protected John.  We're told of Herod response to John that "when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly."   Regardless of the appearance of circumstances, God's power in the world works this way, that it is a chance for Herod, and still works as part of the prophetic work of John the Baptist.  Just think what might have been possible had Herod actually paid attention to the Baptist, had repented,  and not remained allied to his (living) brother's wife, Herodias, and thus complying with Jewish Law.  This horrific story might have had a very different outcome.  But as it is, this reading gives us a powerful tale of what it is to reject prophetic witness.  If it is true that "by their fruits you will know them" (Matthew 7:18-20), then we have only to look at the  gruesome and bloodthirsty fruits in this story to affirm that for Herod to do so -- to reject John's holiness and teaching -- is to go from bad to worse.  It is, in this sense that might be hard to catch, another testament to the power of the holy.  Herod himself, through complications of alliances and political intrigue concerning his marriage, as well as Herodias' ambition and greed, would come to a bad end of defeat and exile.  (See the latter portion of this article).  What we can conclude is that God's power, working through the prophet, has its effect; and whether the word of God comes through the prophets, or through Christ, or the saints, it retains its power -- even in response to rejection.   this leads us to think more deeply about Christ's admonition to the twelve on their first apostolic mission that they should shake the dust off their feet as testimony against those who would not receive them.  For there is power in such a testimony, albeit one seemingly without force or effect to worldly eyes.  We need look only at Christ's words in yesterday's reading (above) as to consequences of refusal:  "Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  For Herod Antipas, it is the beginning of a long slide into deeper corruption.  (See also Luke 23:7-12).  Let us take these stories to heart, and not see them as stories of a bygone age, one of absolute power and ruthless ambition.  If we think God's power is not at work in the world, perhaps we're just not looking with the right perspective.   We still have all the seeds of the terrible ends, and prophetic warnings -- even under any circumstance -- with us today.  The worldly view won't can't it, but God's power remains working in and through the world, and even our intimate lives, should we choose to hear and respond (Luke 11:28), and even if it is rejected.

Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter

 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 preaching in parables, that He departed from Capernaum.  When He had come to His own country, 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.  Here Matthew gives us the history behind Herod's fear that Jesus is John the Baptist, risen from the dead.  Herod had married Herodias, his brothers' former wife, while his brother was still living.  John had denounced this as a violation of Jewish Law, and for this reason he was imprisoned.  My study bible comments from the perspective of a traditional view in the Church:  it saw the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist in the context of God's plan of salvation.  This allowed the coming of the Messiah to be announced to the souls in Hades, with John as forerunner and prophet of Christ there as well as on earth.

This story of violence and gruesome actions taking place at a birthday party tells us a great deal of the state of the ancient world into which Christ was born.  There is no flinching here at the reality of violence and cruelty.   The one thing that had kept John from death for speaking out against Herod was his stance as a revered figure among the people, who considered him to be a prophet and a holy man.  This is a world of power, where power is abused as often as it is exercised in one form or another -- and in particular by modern standards of what people call "civil rights."   It describes a world in which state authority is understood to be so absolute as there will be no questioning of these actions, and a king's rash promise to a young girl holds power simply because he does not want to go back on his oath in front of those important people in attendance.  This is the world of injustice in which Christ preaches His Sermon on the Mount, and teaches the oppressed about His way of responding to it and living in it.  If we stop to think of the injustices of today's world and compare them to our ancient history -- and the time of the life of Christ and His environment -- then we sometimes may want to consider how much responsibility we bear for choosing how we will choose to live.  John fearlessly preached righteousness in this world.  He lived in abject poverty, not among the privileged or even average people.  Jesus had no place to lay His head (8:20).  We may also understand corruption, violence, injustice, and abuse of power in the hands of those in high places in our modern world, in all kinds of ways and in all kinds of places.  But our Lord did not come to live in castles or mansions or an easy life.   Jesus spoke of John the Baptist to the people also comparing him to those who led easier lives:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses."  He was defending John as "a prophet, and greater than a prophet" in the face of criticism by the Pharisees that he was too rough (see 11:7-15).  But both the prophet and the Lord we follow were born into a world of great power and great injustice, and one of the power of great empire.  They lived their lives through its worst aspects -- even to crucifixion -- so that they could give us the way that we in turn honor to walk through it.  When we realize what they lived, how they lived, and what they experienced, it should make us even more committed to this way of life in the midst of our own realities.  Let us understand they have lived the way they lived already for love of us, and we must in turn honor what they offer as the greatest wisdom, and the gift of greatest love.   Let us endure and resist the temptations of a world that would seduce with violence and power and deceitful riches, and share in their strength to do so.

This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead

John the Baptist, Angel of the Desert.  17th century Russian icon

And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well-known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

- Mark 6:13-29

Yesterday we read that Jesus went out from Capernaum and came to His own country Nazareth, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do not mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  Today's reading begins with the last verse from yesterday's (above), giving us a framework for what is happening.  The apostles have been sent out on their first missionary journey, and so Jesus' ministry is not simply expanding, but it is also becoming more known for the marvelous works that accompany it.

Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well-known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  King Herod Antipas is the son of the King Herod the Great who slew the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16).  He is technically the governor of Galilee (also titled tetrarch), but popularly called a king.  Herod is aware that John the Baptist did not perform miracles.  But now he suspects that Jesus is John risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.  Today's reading unfolds the story of the Baptist's death at Herod's hands.  My study bible comments that Herod fears John more dead than alive.

Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  The prophet Elijah was expected to return and work signs before the coming of the Lord (Malachi 4:5).   The Prophet is interpreted by some to be a reference to the Messiah, my study bible says; that is, the One foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).  Others interpret this as simply meaning that a new prophet had arisen.

But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  We can understand the fear of Herod, as he supposes that John the Baptist has been raised from the dead -- effectively with great powers he did not have during his ministry -- whom Herod himself had beheaded.

For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.   This explanation, and the story of John the Baptist's death, is given parenthetically in the Gospel, explaining what has happened previously, and Herod's fear that John has returned from the dead.  Herod had married his brother's wife, Herodias, while his brother was yet living.  This was in opposition to the laws of marriage of the Jews, and so John the Baptist had spoken publicly against it.  Herodias wanted to kill him, we're told, but Herod, on the other hand, had a sense of John's righteousness and holiness, and so he protected him.  He also apparently delighted to listen to him.  It seems that Herod knew John's revered popular status as a prophet and holy man among the people.  My study bible notes that Herod feared John.   With all his wealth and soldiers, Herod feared a man who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (1:6).  My study bible calls this a testament both to the power of personal holiness and integrity, and also to the people's perception of John, for they held him in the highest esteem (11:32).

Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.  There are a few things we can note about this story.  First of all, there is the temptation to swearing oaths, which Herod gives in to with an over-lavish promise to Herodias' daughter.  In effect, he sets his own trap for himself.  Moreover, contemporary hearers would be scandalized to know that parading a daughter in such a display and in such a setting was a violation of her modesty, in accordance with the cultural standards of the time.  The violence and gore of the holy man's fate -- and the relationship between mother and daughter -- testifies in and of itself to the excesses of thirst for power on display, and its consequences.

In a certain light, we may consider today's story from the Gospel illuminating for Lenten meditation.  The excesses of the court of Herod are instrumental in pointing out to us the wisdom of traditional practices of Lent, and the things we need to consider at this time.  There are first of all the great expenditures of lavish wealth meant to show off the king's (and his kingdom's) power and reach.  We can imagine what sumptuous feast must have been served, showing off the far extent of the Empire's trade in its exotic fares and spices, the skill of the king's cooks and servants, and the possibly the sophistication of luxuries available to them.  And yet in the midst of beauty and royal splendor, the selfish and ruthless acquisition of power for its own sake is at play.  It corrupts the relationship between mother and daughter, not only with disrespect for her daughter's own modesty and integrity of her body and being, but with the "teaching" of the skill of murder for the sake of absolute power.  That there is no regard whatsoever for the holiness for which John the Baptist is widely known and revered by the people doubles this effect.  The king's over-indulgence in swearing a rash oath to his stepdaughter teaches us something as well, for not only are oaths generally things to avoid, but they also present to us great temptation -- a trap we easily fall into, as illustrated here.  Oaths often give us a sense of control and power, but we see even that slip immediately through the king's hands, as his wife uses the opportunity to her own perceived advantage.  And there we have another casualty of relationships based merely on power and the acquisition of authority, and not on love:  manipulation for its own sake as a kind of victory, as a way to operate in the world in which we delude ourselves regarding our own capacity for intelligence and cunning and what it says about us.  These things are instrumental not only as cautionary tales for those who take the faith of Christ seriously, but in particular at this time of Lent, when we are meant to go within more deeply, to take time out from our usual frenetic activities, and consider what is most important to our faith.  This is a time when we are meant to consider what is most important for the good of our body, soul, and spirit.  Our practices of focus on the interior life should give us pause to consider what it is we chase in life, what's most important to us, what is really worthwhile, and where we might to pull back and reconsider how we might live a little differently -- for that's the real meaning of repentance, or "change of mind."  John the Baptist himself remains a figure of importance, especially at this time, for both he and his disciples teach us what it means to stick to the real business of our faith at all times, through thick and through thin.  Not only does he continue with his faith and ministry through his imprisonment, but he dies a heroic death, a martyr to his faith.  In the tradition of the Church, he precedes Christ to those who have passed, proclaiming the coming of Christ in Hades, as forerunner both to the living and the dead.  The detail added in the final verse gives us the disposition of John's disciples, they stick faithfully and soberly to the business at hand, accepting all that has come, and doing what is necessary for their faith.  All of this teaches us something about this time, in which the world faces an epidemic to consider our response to:  Who are we really?  What are we to be about?  How do we get down to the real things of Lent we need to focus on, especially now?  I could make a bad joke about losing one's head -- but let us consider the case in which at times like these, we need to think about the things to which we dedicate ourselves, and the things we're better off in letting go and getting down to the real business of life such as it is now.  Such circumstances have the capacity to really focus our energies on where effort is needed, and to let go of what is extraneous to our health on all levels of our being.  Let us consider to what we dedicate ourselves, and what is most important and essential in our lives now, just like, in our tradition of Lent, we are supposed to do.  The icon above depicts John the Baptist, particularly titled as Angel of the Desert.  In many Orthodox icons, he is depicted with wings, as this gives us an understanding of his role (similar to the angels) as messenger.  In fact, the word angelos means messenger in Greek.  (It should be noted that for the most part, depictions of angels with wings, such as Gabriel or Michael, are also symbolic of their status as divine messengers.)   John is also called Angel of the Desert in this icon for his dedication to the things of God, putting material things second to his purpose, as he was called as prophet and forerunner, and the one of whom Jesus said, "among those born of women there is no one greater than John" (Matthew 11:11, Luke 7:28).