Have you ever been forced into doing something you didn’t want to do? Herod finds himself in that situation in today’s Gospel.
Herod had a big ego like most public figures throughout history. While this is not the case for all public figures, it seems to be the norm. It makes it easy for us to look at them and criticize them for their arrogance, greed, and control of everyone. They are so blatant about it that it makes it easy for us to overlook the same attributes in our lives.
Herod was used to being in control and anyone who defied him was crushed. John the Baptist defied Herod when he told him that it was unlawful for him to have his brother’s wife. Herodias resented that statement being made in public and held a grudge against John the Baptist. She looked for an opportunity to get revenge.
For some reason, Herod admired John and let him live. Herod feared John because he knew John was a righteous and holy person. Herod also liked to hear John speak even though he was puzzled by what he had to say. So as much as we criticize Herod, he still had some deep-down feelings of worth in his heart.
In today’s Gospel Herod spouts off about the fabulous dance that Herodias’ daughter performed for Herod and his courtiers, military officers, and the leaders of Galilee at Herod’s birthday celebration. It is his undoing. Herodias gets her chance for revenge.
While it’s easy to be critical of public figures today, especially our President and Congressional Representatives who claim to be Catholic yet push legislation that destroys the family unit and our young people, we must remember that we too have many of these same characteristics. The difference is that these characteristics are not so open and public.
How many times are we critical of others at work or even at home? How many times have we said something curtly or arrogantly in front of others that ends up putting us into the same situation as Herod?
To save face and protect ourselves from humiliation, we get backed into a corner and do something we don’t really want to do, just like Herod. The worst part is that it happens so quickly we don’t even realize it until we are there – backed into the corner and desperately trying to save ourselves from embarrassment.
Herod was sorry and deeply distressed. Herod had a choice. He could have said no to the request. But because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. In other words, he did not want to be humiliated in front of the guests.
When we find ourselves backed into a corner like Herod, we must take the right the right course of action. We must apologize for what we said and seek forgiveness from the persons whom we offended. As Christians, we must not commit an act that leads us to commit a deeper sin under peer pressure just to save ourselves from humiliation.
Taking the right action is asking a lot! Yes. Is it easy? Definitely not. Pray for strength to say, “I’m sorry but I am not going to mistreat a person because I said some foolish things earlier.”
John the Baptist told the truth even when it was the unpopular thing to do. We too must be willing to speak out when someone is being mistreated because of their race, culture, religion, marital status, or sexual orientation. We must abide by our Church’s teachings for what is acceptable, but still treat each person with respect and dignity. We must love them as Christ loves us.
