July 31, 2010 - Saturday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time
Jer 26:11-1,2 * Ps 69 * Mt 14:1-12

DEATH OF THE BAPTIZER

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him." Now Herod had arrested John, bound (him), and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

 

"JOHN'S DISCIPLES TOOK THE BODY AND BURIED IT; THEN THEY WENT OFF TO TELL JESUS"

T here is something particularly poignant about the death of John the Baptist. The last time we met him in this Gospel he had sent two disciples to ask Jesus. 'Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?' He had indeed baptized Jesus at the Jordan. To the crowds he had promised, 'The one who follows me will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire'. But the reports he had of Jesus were not of one who had to come for condemnation and judgement. Jesus sent John back another prophetic description of the Messiah. 'The blind see again and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear. . . And the Good News is proclaimed to the poor'. In other words a Messiah who was a blessing for the needy. - He went on then to praise John as 'the greatest', though the least in the Kingdom was greater than him, for John belonged to the Old Dispensation. He would not live to see the Spirit descend at Pentecost. And yet he would not be denied a share in Christ's glory. For, as we read today, he would precede him into death, so as to follow him into life after the Resurrection.

(Taken from Feed from the Tree of Life by Columba Breen, OSB, published by Paulines. Visit us at www.paulines.ph or at Paulines Media Centers.)

 

Sower’s Thought: "If our will is to be both docile and yet firm, we have to overcome all obstacles and use positive means. One external obstacle is human respect, whereby a person does good or commits evil to gain the respect of others. It is a voluntary slavery. Another obstacle is bad example, in the form of worldly maxims. These have a very powerful effect on human beings who of their nature tend towards evil. A third obstacle is the devil. The serpent, who used guile against our progenitors, now does the same against all those of good will." - Blessed James Alberione, Founder of the Pauline Family