and that is why miraculous powers are at work in John.” Herod had, in fact, ordered that
John be arrested, bound in chains and put in prison, because of Herodias, the wife of his
brother Philip. For John had said to Herod, “It is not right for you to have her as your wife.”
Herod wanted to kill him but he did not dare, because he feared the people, who regarded
John as a prophet. On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced among the guests;
she so delighted Herod that he promised under oath to give her anything she asked for.
The girl, following the advice of her mother, said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist,
here, on a dish.” The king was very displeased, but because he had made his promise
under oath, in the presence of his guests, he ordered it to be given to her. So he had
John beheaded in prison, and his head brought on a dish and given to the girl. The girl
then took it to her mother. Then John’s disciples came, took his body and buried it. Then
they went and told Jesus.

Reflect

“Pause and think.” As what we reflected on yesterday, we must let go of our biases against
other people because our mere perception of them could be wrong. At times, out of
excitement, we could also be wrong in what we say and do, especially when we say and
do it hastily. What could be worse is when we could realize the wrongness of the word we
are about to say or the action we are about to do, yet we still say or do it. Today’s Gospel
narrates the beheading of John the Baptist. John was imprisoned by Herod (Antipas)
because he boldly denounced Herod’s wrong affair with Herodias. During Herod’s birthday,
the daughter of Herodias danced and Herod was delighted. Herod promised to give the
girl anything she would ask for. Upon the advice of her mother, the girl asked for the
head of John the Baptist on a dish. It was wrong. Herod could have retracted but he did not.
He commanded that John the Baptist be executed. When we are tempted to hurriedly say or
do something, let us first pause and think of the implications of what we are about to say or do.

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