READ SCRIPTURE (Mark6:14-29)
King Herod heard of the disciples' preaching, for Jesus; name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised."
For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod,
"It is not lawful for you to marry your brother's wife." And Herodias had a grudge against John, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When Herod heard John, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" The mother replied, "The head of John the baptizer." Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. The soldier went and beheaded John in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When John's disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
REFLECT ON THE READING
The Gospel tells of an ugly birthday banquet that fully displays Herod;s tortured psychology: he is fascinated by John; he shows off before his guests; he lusts after his stepdaughter; yet throughout he is deeply afraid. The result is murder. And when he hears about Jesus, it his continuing guilt that responds. The story may be for us like Amos' plumbline set against the crookedness of all unjust and despotic regimes. It may also measure out the ways we ourselves have acted from cowardice, self-importance, and guilt. But, in the Gospel, the story is also the negative image of another banquet, the one in Mark 14:3-9: there an unnamed woman does not demand Jesus's head on a platter but faithfully anoints his head, thus preparing his "body beforehand for its burial." That act leads us to another meal, the meal which proclaims Jesus' cross and resurrection, the meal where he today gives himself to us. In that meal, as in the whole word of the gospel, the grace and love of God, freely bestowed on us "in the Beloved," are on full display. Listening to God speaking peace in Jesus and marked by the seal of the Spirit in word and sacrament, we turn in that love and peace toward our needy and harassed world.
PRAY TOGETHER
O God, from you come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works. Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments; and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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