I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter

 

 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 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, 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.  Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.   Jesus has sent out the twelve disciples on their first apostolic mission.  This King Herod was the son of the one who slew the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16).  Commonly he is called Herod Antipas, and he was tetrarch of Galilee.  Although he was technically a governor, my study Bible says, he was popularly called king. 

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!"  Herod now believes that Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead, thinking powers are at work in him.  Therefore, my study Bible says, he fears John more dead than alive.   Some suggest that Jesus is Elijah, as 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 as a reference to the Messiah, the One foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15), but others interpret it to mean that a new prophet had arisen.

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.  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.  These verses, in which we're told the story of the death of John the Baptist, are given parenthetically by Mark, in order to explain why Herod believed that John the Baptist was returned from the dead.  John's objection to Herod's marriage to Herodias was based on the fact that her previous husband, Herod's brother, was still living, as a violation of Jewish law.  While the dynasty of Herod the Great ruled for Rome, they at least sought to observe an appearance of Jewish heritage.  My study Bible asks us to note that Herod feared John while he was living; he knew that John was a just and holy man.  Herod, as ruler of Galilee for Rome, had wealth and many soldiers, and yet he feared John who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (Mark 1:6).  My study Bible suggests 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).  

 

 The story of the death of John the Baptist gives us a kind of preview of the death of Jesus, in the sense that it shows a ruthless material world on display in which power and the desire for power rules all.  In the death of John the Baptist we see the meeting of the holy within a world ruled by those like the family of Herod.  It should be noted that even in a world dominated by clashing powers and kingdoms, and expanding empire and military might, the dynasty of Herod had a particular reputation for cruelty, tyranny, and brutality.  Herod the Great (the father of the Herod -- known as Herod Antipas -- in today's reading) is known not only for the story of the murder of the children of Bethlehem, but also exiled one wife and son in favor of another woman who could secure his royal position, and later executed several members of his own family, including his second wife.  In the story of John the Baptist's death we're given a story of vindictiveness and cruelty; Herodias' desire is to punish John for criticizing her marriage to Herod Antipas.  At least her husband has somewhat of a consciousness of awe of John's righteousness and holiness, but she seizes the occasion of a rash promise made to her daughter to secure her own vengeance and punishment on an enemy who is already imprisoned.  Using her daughter, manipulating Herod, and having John's head presented to this dinner party of nobles, high officers, and chief men of Galilee, is a visceral way to display ruthless power -- even a kind of image of cannibalism of anyone who gets in the way of ambition.  And as a historical figure, she was clearly an ambitious woman.  Unfortunately her own scheming resulted in disastrous defeat and exile for herself and Herod Antipas, in which they lost a war fomented through territorial disputes engendered by their marriage.  Eventually accused by a nephew of plotting against Caligula, Herod Antipas and Herodias were exiled to Spain, where they died at an unknown date.  For all their plotting and cruelty, only disaster and more death and destruction resulted.  But such is the world into which John the Baptist, last and greatest of the Jewish prophets and forerunner to Christ was born.  This was the world into which John brought his message of baptism of repentance in preparation for the coming of the Lord.  My study Bible comments 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.  The story of the beheading of John the Baptist enforces for us the viewpoint of the Scriptures on our world, that Christ enters as Physician and Savior to heal a world in which evil permeates, made worse through the sinful and selfish choices of human beings.  It should be understood that the practices of the Herodian court were scandalous to the common people and also to the pious religious leaders such as the Pharisees in their own time.  But in a modern context, we can look at this story and see the hallmarks of ambition, envy, and ruthlessness unchecked by any understanding of religious faith or God's call in our lives.  The vicious behavior of Herodias is a model for us of the end result of frustrated entitlement and greed taken to its conclusion of extreme rage, magnified through lack of restriction and unchecked by social barriers in its expression.  When we look at this story, we might be able to understand some of the stranger results of extreme ambition we occasionally read about in newspapers, a reminder of the dangers of life without the mediating effects of religious faith in a God who calls us to righteousness and compassion.  This lurid and cruel story may be taken as an extreme expression of what we might call "lawlessness" in religious terms, but nevertheless functions as a cautionary tale in circumstances where ambition for power is all, and selfishness is the only standard, even among family members.  For the world still needs our faith, and the chaos of life outside its mediating influence is still far too close at hand.  In this context, Christ's preaching of repentance and humility remain necessary as ever.

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.

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."