GOSPEL POWER l AUGUST 29, 2022 - Monday of 22nd Week in Ordinary Time

Passion of Saint John the Baptist, martyr

Gospel: Mk 6:17-29 

17Herod 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. 18For John had been telling Herod,  “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19And 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. 21But an opportunity  came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers  and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22When 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.” 23And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me,  I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” 24She went out and said  to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of  John the baptizer.” 25Immediately 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.” 26The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his  oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27Immediately  the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head.  He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28brought his head on a  platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.  29When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and  laid it in a tomb.

The truth holds the key to freedom (cf. Jn 8:32), that is why  something within the human heart is always fascinated  with the truth, even if in the end, the person chooses to  suppress it and silence its voice. Even the wicked king Herod Antipas  experienced this mixture of disturbance and fascination as he listened  to John the Baptist, the uncompromising prophet-of-truth. Just as a  spark of light draws the eyes and holds a person’s attention, so does  truth beckon its hearer. But because the naked truth inflicts pain,  many are unable to withstand it and keep their gaze fixed on it. They  end up getting rid of the announcer of the truth, in an attempt to  eliminate the truth. But the truth is indestructible because it is of the  essence of God. 

Lord Jesus, strengthen us in our commitment to the truth, especially in  the face of opposition. Amen.