1st AUGUST. SATURDAY, WEEK 17

1.Leviticus 25:1,8-17

2.Matthew14:1-12

Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, bishop and doctor of the Church

Alphonsus ( 1696-1787) from Marianella near Naples studied law and practiced as a lawyer until 1723, when he began studying for the priesthood. After ordination at the age of 30 he lived his first years as a priest working with the homeless youth of Naples. His sermons were very effective at converting people who were alienated from their faith. In 1732 he founded the redemptorists, a congregation to preach principally in the slums of cities and other poor places. Despite his resistance, was made bishop of Palermo at the age of 66. He wrote many works on moral theology and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1871

REFLECTIONS AND MEDITATIONS

“ Never promise extravagantly beyond your capacity”

In the gospel reading today we hear the story of King Herod celebrating his birthday with his wealthy friends, moreover, tossing his success as Kind of Galilee. As the highlight of the party Salome, Herodia’s pretty daughter; chip in to do an exotic dance. Her erotic emotions and ballet so pleased Herod that he promised extravagantly, ‘Ask for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.’ It was the promise that would afterwards disgrace and hunt him before the public: “I will give it to you, even up to half my Kingdom.” From the bible account we note that Herod is another person in the series of Bible characters among the people who went astray. How great might Samson have become if not for his lust for Delilah? Would David not have left a finer legacy had he not lusted for Bathsheba? Might Solomon’s wisdom have lasted longer if he avoided listening to his multiple foreign wives, who turned his heart astray? There is an important lesson to ponder.

In this story, Herod comes across as superficial, weak- willed and easily led. The intention of her sister in law made out her mission to terminate John the Baptist life for speaking against their affair which was unlawful. However, Herod revered John as just and holy man, so he kept him alive and even listened at times to his message. Only when he was out of his senses because of drinking and the girl’s exotic dance did Herodias get her way- and John was put to death. Herod’s reaction to the dancing girl reminds us of two things, first, to give a promise to the situations whereby afterwards these promises will demand us beyond our conscience’s capacities. Secondly, to make decisions being in unconscious state. In this context we may realize that such things are done when our senses are down and when both wisdom and prudence are set aside in giving a right moral judgment on serious life affairs.  The scenario shows us how sin can outlive temporal moment pleasures. Killing of John the Baptist kept on hunting Herod, this is well manifested in the preaching of Jesus when Herod heard of Jesus preaching, his first thought was “ This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead.” Clearly he was still thinking about John, and being tormented by guilty conscience. Herod’s birthday is long in the past, but his foolish decision speaks a lot in our time today.

From the gospel we get a message about the abuse use of power. Herod Antipas was ruler in Galilee at the time of Jesus. He was ultimately subject to the emperor in Rome and was Rome puppet’s king. He could use his power as he wished. To us all, the gospel reading has got something to tell us more especially when we look around and see what happens with our political and spiritual leaders who have been in authority for long time and yet are not ready to step down from the offices.

The gospel tells us today that Herod used his power to execute an innocent man. Making a comparison between Herod and John the Baptist, we find that Herod has got power to whatever he likes, while John the Baptist is powerless man, a prisoner of Herod Antipas. Nevertheless, he has a moral authority that is rooted in his relationship with God. John the Baptist stood for the truth that gave him the power to confront a man of power like Herod; while Herod stood for temporal authority that was not of God’s origin. From our everyday ordinary life experience we find that those who are in danger to lose their lives are the ones who advocate truth, justice and rights, it was for the same reasons that made John the Baptist to be put in prison and eventually executed.

John the Baptist death prefigured Jesus’ death. As Jesus hung from the cross he too had no power. As Paul says, “he was crucified in weakness.” Yet at that moment he had great authority, the authority of a life of tremendous integrity and goodness, the authority, ultimately, of the faithful Son of God, as the centurion at the foot of the cross looked and recognized him as the Son of God. In the gospel sense however little we are, yet like John the Baptist and Jesus we can be people of authority. Like John the Baptist we are called to be people of the word, who hear the word of the Lord and allow it to shape our values, our attitudes, and our whole lives.