Daily Gospel Reflection
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February 7, 2020
King Herod heard of Jesus, for his name had become widespread. Some were saying, “John the Baptist 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 have your brother’s wife.”
And Herodias had a grudge against him, 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 he heard him, 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?” She 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. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
In the TV show Breaking Bad, the main character, Walter White, turns to manufacturing and selling drugs to finance his cancer treatment. To advance his drug business while keeping it secret from his family, Walter spins an intricate web of manipulation and violence that grows more extreme throughout the series as the consequences of his actions start to catch up to him.
We find Herod taking a somewhat similar path in today’s reading. Herod likely knew his marriage was unlawful but thought that he could simultaneously silence the criticism without inciting John’s followers or Herodias. However, this situation quickly escalates into a killing too upsetting for Herod, a man who ordered the slaughter of all infants in his own kingdom!
In both the series and the reading, the characters ignore multiple opportunities to diffuse their precarious situations because of the cost to their pride and their egos. By choosing not to end his marriage or renege on his promise, Herod decides that not being perceived as foolish or immoral is worth more than the life of an innocent man.
Although we will probably never end up in circumstances as extreme as Walter’s or Herodias’, we do face the temptation to double down on our sinful behavior instead of owning up to it on a daily basis. It is easier to convince ourselves, for example, that we speak ill of our spouses, neighbors, and coworkers because they “deserve it” rather than admit that we do it to fuel our own self-image. Only through humbly seeking and accepting forgiveness can we come to restore our relationships with God and each other.
Prayer
Lord, you suffered the news of the death of your herald and companion John the Baptist. Yet you also discerned in his death the power of his faith, for he was willing to give everything for his belief in God. Be close to us and those we love in all our trials. Help us to rely on the power of our faith in you, that our witness in times of trial may be a light for others. Amen.
Saint of the Day
In the spring of 720, a father and his two sons set out from Wessex, England on a pilgrimage to Rome and the Holy Land. On their way, the father died in Lucca, Italy, and was buried there. Soon, miracles were recorded at his tomb.
The man’s two sons, Willibald and Winebald, grew up to become important figures in the Church of the time, and both are remembered as saints, as is their sister, Walburga. The holiness displayed by his children encouraged more reverence for this pilgrim, even though his name was not recorded for history.
The faithful of Lucca and those who followed his children gave this man a name—Richard—and even a title that suggested he was king of the English. (In reality, there was no King Richard from England before the King Richard Lionhearted ascended to the throne some 400 years later.)
Despite what little we know of him, St. Richard’s memory is kept because he was a father who loved God and his children. To undertake such an arduous pilgrimage took great faith, and that faithfulness became a family trait carried on by his sons and daughter.
St. Richard is an example to parents who strive to encourage their children by their actions in their own life of faith. We know next to nothing about this man, but because his values and spirit inspired his children, his holiness still echoes through time to us today.
Relics from the four people in this holy family rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Richard, you were the faithful father who encouraged your children to become saints, pray for us!