Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Matthew 6: 17-29
August 29, 2025 | Friday

Today’s Gospel

For this is what had happened: Herod had ordered John to be arrested; and had had him bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod had married her; and John had told him, “It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.” So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him; but she could not, because Herod respected John. He knew John to be an upright and holy man, and kept him safe. And he liked listening to him; although he became very disturbed whenever he heard him.

Herodias had her chance on Herod’s birthday, when he gave a dinner for all the senior government officials, military chiefs, and the leaders of Galilee. On that occasion, the daughter of Herodias came in and danced; and she delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you.” And he went so far as to say with many oaths, “I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” The mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried to the king and made her request, “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist, here and now, on a dish.”

The king was very displeased, but he would not refuse in front of his guests because of his oaths. So he sent one of the bodyguards, with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded John in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and buried it.

Today’s Reflection

The single-minded devotion to purity, not only that of sexual or intention, is being demanded of the Jews but also of us. The purpose of Jewish laws is that the people keep their minds and hearts fixed on God. Otherwise, it is not good for sanctification. We are called to holiness, for our God is a Holy God who invites us. This is the content of the Shema recited by the Jewish people recited daily. It is a reminder to them of having a singular devotion to Him. The danger of so many practices or precepts is that they become casual and cultural and no longer have religious significance. We lost the mosaic frame for the minute details. This is what Paul is severely criticizing. This includes honesty in our dealings with others and sincerity in what we do. What is my aim in this life? Was I lost in the fleetingness of the situation and had forgotten the essentials?

The Jewish historian Josephus wrote that Herod Antipas took John into custody for fear that he might spark a rebellion. Mark’s versions, among the Synoptics, are more elaborate and dramatic. Mark focuses on the court, the drama behind the scenes, manipulations, and negotiations. John’s passion preludes the Passion of Christ, wherein the figures are parallel, and the circumstances and conclusion are slightly different. John was considered as a prophet by the people. Herod Antipas was “conscientisized” by his preaching but was either a coward and hesitated to heed it, or he was politically astute. The most important thing for us to reflect on is whether we are as courageous as John to preach immorality and injustice and to witness it despite different pressures.

/Vulnerasti, 2025