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.

Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men

 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.  Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"  But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan!  You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.  Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His coming."

- Matthew 16:21-28

Yesterday we read that when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"  So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."  He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"  Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.  And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."  Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.  Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"  But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan!  You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."  For the first time, and directly after Peter's confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ (spoken for all of the disciples), Jesus reveals the true nature of His messiahship.  He introduces them to the mystery of His Passion.  My study bible informs us that it was expected that the Messiah would reign forever, so the idea that Christ would die was impossibly perplexing to Peter and remained scandalous to the Jews even after the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 1:23).  Peter, in effect, has unwittingly spoken for Satan, as the devil did not want Jesus to fulfill His mission and save humankind through suffering and death.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."  The cross was a fearsome instrument of Roman punishment, designed to create the worst kind of suffering until death.  But it is also a symbol -- transfigured by Christ -- of suffering by Christians in imitation of Him.  My study bible says that we practice self-denial for the sake of the love of God and the gospel.  To accept this suffering, it says, is not a punishment.  Neither is it an end in itself.  Rather it is a means whereby a fallen world is overcome for the sake of the kingdom of God, and to crucify passions and desires which would separate us from God in the light of faith (Galatians 5:24).

"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."  This central Christian message is the paradox of how to live.  My study bible comments that in grasping for temporal things, we lose the eternal.  But in sacrificing everything in this world in faith to God, and God's purposes for us, we gain eternal riches which are unimaginable (1 Corinthians 2:9).  This can be experienced on the deepest personal level of identity and meaning.

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"  My study bible says that this question emphasizes the utter foolishness of accumulating worldly wealth or power -- as none of this can redeem a person's "fallen" soul or benefit a person in the life to come.

"For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."  In introducing the cross and His suffering, Jesus also reminds us of judgment and of justice -- the full impact of how we choose to live, and what it is we choose to live for.

"Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His coming."   My study bible suggests this is a reference to those who would witness the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9, coming up in our next reading), as well as those in every generation who will experience the presence of God's Kingdom.

So what would you give for God's kingdom to dwell within you?  How does that match the goals that you have in your life?  Does it fit with what the world offers you as "good" or beneficial to you?  Let us consider the meaning of Jesus' cross in a profound way, as He offers to us His way of life, with its "crucifixion" of our desires and worldly outlook based solely on what is material in our lives.  Once again, I would turn to the maelstrom of currant affairs and politics which seems to dominate our lives and our media screens.  Where I live, protest is ongoing each day, with helicopters overhead for two weeks and more.  The noise itself feels invasive at this point, as there is no chance for me to be uninvolved somehow, no silence when I feel I need it.  The answer for me is in the Cross.  How should I participate?  Should I participate?  Is there an alternative or option which Christ would have me choose?  The one way I should find that out is through the Cross, through the crucifixion of flesh and its desires and passions, as my study bible, citing St. Paul, reminds us.  If I cannot retreat enough into the power of prayer to give all of the fuss and the confusing selection and variety of opinions to Christ and the saints, then where is my faith in all of this?  Fortunately, it is the power of prayer and faith in which all things exist and are transformed.  The excitement and agitation of the past few weeks -- and the damage done in my particular neighborhood -- has been stressful and impactful, especially coming on top of a long lockdown for the covid virus in my area, which is ongoing.  Not only that, but the mass protests themselves have raised the specter -- according to the doctors whose opinions are considered to be authoritative -- that the virus statistics will rise once again, and so enforced lockdown will continue.  One of my neighbors with a young baby has already had serious struggles with the tensions of it all, adding tension to where I live.   In the resulting extra stressors, I am compelled to retreat to prayer to address my own responses to those whom I love and whose friendships and acquaintances I cherish, even to those with whom I must engage each day on an impersonal basis.  I have found myself being uncharacteristically angry at some, losing my patience in other circumstances, offended at what I find to be unthinking behavior.  But the one place I can retreat to be "crucified" and have my mind and heart and outlook set right has been through prayer.  I have found it a remarkably potent and powerful antidote to the stress, even changing my mind, soothing my passions and correcting my desires.  In short, Christ's promise that the Cross transforms us and our lives is real and ongoing.  It is -- especially in these circumstances -- an essential part of life.  To be crucified by such a loving Master is to find out who we are, to be corrected when we need it, and especially to be eased by the One who is gentle and lowly of heart, whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light (11:28-30).  It is in this power of the Cross that I have found my way to the person that I need to be, the call to how I can go forward, and especially the light I need to see more clearly -- and that is my testimony.  Won't you meet Christ there as well?  His words are true and good, and it is the work of the "adversary" to suppose they are not meant for good for everyone.

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 went out 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 final verse from yesterday's reading reminds us that Jesus has sent out the apostles on their first mission.  Its success tells us that Christ's name is spreading among the people.

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!"  My study bible points out that Herod actually fears John more dead than alive.  At this point, hearing news about Jesus' disciples, Herod decides that John has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.  Herod is Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great who slew the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16).  He's popularly called king, but he's technically the governor (tetrarch) of the territory which included Galilee under the Romans.   The text also gives us popular reactions of the people to Jesus, so we have a sense of the atmosphere created by His mission.  Elijah was expected to return and work signs before the second coming of the Lord (Malachi 4:5).  The Prophet is interpreted by some to be a reference to the Messiah, foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).  Others understand 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.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.   Mark gives us the background of Herod's encounters with John the Baptist in a flashback, explaining Herod's current unease at the effects of Jesus' ministry, and why he would think that John had risen from the dead.  John had been put into prison because he publicly opposed Herod's marriage to Herodias.  She had been married to his brother Philip, and his brother was still living, so the marriage was in violation of Jewish law.  My study bible suggests that the fact that Herod, with his wealth and soldiers, feared John, a man who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (1:6), is 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. The Gospel gives us a picture of the court of Herod, and the ruling house of those who governed.   Herod the Great, the father of Herod Antipas, was one of the most renowned rulers of the ancient world.  He was also known as Herod the Builder.  His greatest achievement was the majestic restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem.   But he was also known -- in a world where power was used brutally -- as an exceptionally cruel ruler.  

In the Gospels, the state power is always in conflict with the power of holiness.  Material expediency isn't what is important to Christ; His mission is the fulfillment of the will of God the Father, and His method is love and compassion.  He does not amass an army to do His bidding.  John the Baptist also, as an example of holy power, acts as a prophet, speaking up for religious tradition of the Jews when violated by Herod.  The whole tone of the house of Herod can be seen in this episode recounted in which Herodias' daughter danced for all those present, and was taught by her mother to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.  For contemporary hearers, it no doubt gave a sense of the great impropriety of asking a daughter to dance in front of strangers, and teaching and celebrating immodest behavior on her part.  It gives us a good picture of the lust for power and rage present in Herodias, and what the king himself is willing to sacrifice simply because he'd made an oath.  The text tells us explicitly that Herod was aware that John was a just and holy man, that he had earlier sought to protect John, and was "exceedingly sorry" to carry out the execution -- but does so anyway.  We contrast the environment of the house of Herod and Herodias with the moral rectitude of John the Baptist.  He's an example of what is now popularly called "speaking truth to power."   He was also speaking for the Jewish people when doing so.  Although the family of Herod the Great were nominally Jewish and made a show of celebrating Jewish religious holidays, they ruled under Rome.  Most of those attending his party are also most likely Jewish, various men of importance in the region and those who are allied with him.  Hidden in the story therefore is an important implied question:  What does it mean to be a Jew?  While most of us today reading this Gospel text may not find that question uppermost in our minds, it nevertheless by just the same token asks us, "What does it mean to be a Christian?"   Both can be summed up by asking us what it means to follow the path to God.  Most ancient commentators focus on the slippery slope of the passions on display in this story:  the persuasion of immodesty for a daughter, the rage and lust for power of the mother, Herod's vain swearing of an oath in front of all -- and his inability to turn back from it.  (We compare this to David's gratitude that he did not fulfill a foolish oath; see 1 Samuel 25:21-35.)   Herod's fears reveal much about his guilt, but he lacks repentance. Historically, Herod and Herodias, for all their ambition, came only to exile. Others focus, by contrast, on the true freedom of John the Baptist.  Tertullian writes, "Set aside for a moment the term 'prison.' Just call it a temporary retirement. Even though the body is imprisoned, even though the flesh is confined, everything still remains open to the spirit. Walk back and forth, my spirit, not thinking of shady walks or long cloisters, but of the road that leads directly to God. As often as you shall walk in this way in the spirit, so often shall you find yourself not in prison."  While Herod and those around him are slaves to their passions, it is John the Baptist who remains free, even in martyrdom.   It is a crucial perspective to add to our modern lives.  What are we free for?  What claims us?  What enslaves us?  What would we exchange for our own integrity in the love of God?  How free are we to live our faith?   These are all important questions whenever we have choices to make, and need to consider goals for our life.   Lent is precisely the time to examine motivations, and develop our capacity for saying no to things that won't lead us where we want to go.