Mark 6:14-29
14 King Herod heard of it, 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.’ 15 But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’
17 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. 18 For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 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.’ 23 And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ 24 She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ 25 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.’ 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Principles or Circumstances!
Today's Gospel about the beheading of John the Baptist leads us clearly to four different contexts: historical, geographic, political and spiritual.
Historical context.
Herod Antipas, son of King Herod the Great, in the year 4 AD succeeded his father as tetrarch (ruler of a quarter and known as king) in Galilee and Perea. He was married to the daughter of the Nabatean King Aritas 4, whose tomb is inside the famous treasury at Petra. Antipas divorced Aritas 4’s daughter and married his half brother’s wife, Herodias, even though his brother was still alive. John the Baptist openly condemned the illegal marriage. That won the hatred of Herodias, her determination to kill him, and the wrath of Antipas, who put John in prison.
Geographic context.
Most scholars think that John's beheading took place at Machaerus Fortress. This is east of the Dead Sea in Jordan today, between Perea and the Nabatean territories. This is where King Aritas 4, who had territorial conflicts with Antipas and was not pleased about his daughter's divorce, defeated Antipas and took that area east of the Dead Sea from him. From the top of the ruined fortress, we can see the Dead Sea, the Holy Land and the Nabatean territories where these historical events and others happened.
Political context.
John was imprisoned for attachment to his principles, advocating for family values and the respect of others. Antipas and Herodias were in authority. They cared much more for their own interests, and considered John the problem who disturbed their illegal marriage and their pleasures. The desired occasion that Herodias was longing to exploit to get rid of this disturbing voice arrived with the birthday festivities of Antipas. Influenced by wine, dance and lust, he promised the daughter to give her even the half of his kingdom! A dance is worth half a kingdom? She chose to consult with her mother, who already has the king and the whole kingdom! Herodias needs more than territories, she needs to enjoy her life at any price. That price would be John's mute tongue. The only possibility to obtain what she dreamed of for years is John's head. The circumstance she longed for came once in a lifetime. Why miss it!?
Spiritual context.
When human conscience submits to ephemeral profits and interests, principles are put aside. The brain plans to profit and exploit the opportunity to the detriment of all principles. But happy are those who remain faithful to righteousness and principles. Their body will die, but their dignity and honor will remain alive.
We are invited to check the quality of our faithfulness with the basic principles of life. This includes self respect, respecting the dignity and rights of others, and much more if we are respecting God's presence in our life and relations with our neighbor.
We are also invited by this Sunday's Gospel to examine how we prioritize our plans, insights and behavior. Are we giving top priority to principles or to circumstances? Are we playing the roles of Herodias and Antipas in their abuse of authority? Or are we ready to sacrifice some of ourselves in order to remain faithful to constructive principles in our life?
John the Baptist, when he was asked who he was, defined himself as a voice in the desert that was preparing for the coming of the Lord. He invites us today to be this voice, reminding others of our urgent need for God's presence and constructive principles in our societies.
Let us be prepared and ready to be a voice that advocates for self respect and respecting the dignity of others. May John's model of advocacy be an example for the Church today. Let us pray and work for this sake!