5 August, 2023 | Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

 Gospel Mt 14:1-12

Struggling with life?  

Gospel Text: 

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus

and said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist.

He has been raised from the dead;

that is why mighty powers are at work in him."

Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison

on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,

for John had said to him,

"It is not lawful for you to have her."

Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people,

for they regarded him as a prophet.

But at a birthday celebration for Herod,

the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests

and delighted Herod so much

that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for.

Prompted by her mother, she said,

"Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."

The king was distressed,

but because of his oaths and the guests who were present,

he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison.

His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl,

who took it to her mother.

His disciples came and took away the corpse

and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

Reflection:

 Personal glory and fame can be destructive when one tries to acquire it at any cost. The conscience of the person suffers. Herod faces this dilemma and finally gives in to, killing John the Baptist. The Gospel of today challenges us to stand for truth no matter the consequence John the Baptist followed the voice of God and spoke the Truth. We ask the Spirit of God to help us discern and make right decisions always. May we be attentive to the voice of God and do what is right.

Activity: 

Speak the truth always.