Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mt 14: 1-12
July 30, 2022 | Saturday

Today’s Gospel

At that time, the reports about Jesus reached king Herod. And he said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. John has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in John.” Herod had, in fact, ordered that John be arrested, bound in chains and put in prison, because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. For John had said to Herod, “It is not right for you to have her as your wife.” Herod wanted to kill him but he did not dare, because he feared the people, who regarded John as a prophet. On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced among the guests; she so delighted Herod that he promised under oath to give her anything she asked for. The girl, following the advice of her mother, said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist, here, on a dish.” The king was very displeased, but because he had made his promise under oath, in the presence of his guests, he ordered it to be given to her. So he had John beheaded in prison, and his head brought on a dish and given to the girl. The girl then took it to her mother. Then John’s disciples came, took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Today’s Reflection:

The truth indeed hurts so that it takes courage for somebody to stand or speak the truth even if there will be those who will be offended. Thus, those who stand for the truth can be a threat or obstacle for those who live a life against the truth—in injustice and immorality so that the best thing that they can do is to silence the person. This is the unfortunate reality that fell upon John the Baptist who spoke about the truth. Indeed, the gospel is the truth so that those who truly and faithfully witness it are also persecuted for true discipleship is a kind of protest to the world. All these considered, are you willing to stand and speak for the truth in the form of our gospel despite the inevitable persecutions and suffering? /Vulnerasti, 2022