Psalm 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9abc
Mark 6:14-29 Full Readings
Herod's Guilty Conscience
Brethren, the evil of wrongdoings does not pass without their execution. Their consequences, guilt and sorrow, can destroy the perpetrator of the action. Herod in the gospel today, having ordered the execution of John due to political arrogance and blind commitment to an oath, was continually haunted by his guilt. Thus, the growing fame of Jesus was seen by him as the return from the dead of John the Baptist, whose head he had cut off. A lot of people are in bondage with their past sins and are constantly perturbed by guilt. We need not remain entrapped by past iniquity when the cleansing blood of Christ is present in the sacrament of reconciliation. Don't be like Herod, for in Christ, you are more than the sin of your past!
Perhaps from the story of Herod, we can see the power of a person's conscience. Sometimes, we do sin and we think that since nobody has noticed us sinning, we are safe. But this is far from the truth. Firstly, God sees even in our inner secrets, and when we sin, we reject him. Secondly, he wrote his law in our hearts, and our consciences will continue to judge and haunt us if we go against it. Are we then free from this sinful guilt? No. Those who have radically rejected God, though they might possess great power or wealth, great intelligence or ability, are ultimately the most insecure people on earth. When true goodness appears in their life, it presents itself as a threat. It condemns them and alienates them from themselves. All this is but a reflection of their state of soul before God. Such is the power of man’s conscience: it imposes its painful sentence long before the person ever reaches the ultimate tribunal of justice. Let us not be stubborn like Herod and be haunted by our sins. Jesus came to save us from this slavery of sin and make us free before him and God; let's implore his merciful forgiveness always; otherwise, our conscience will condemn us always.
Can we also always imitate John the Baptist, who, despite the threats from Herod never gave up proclaiming the word of God and standing for justice and truth? If we stand for justice and truth even if we die, our conscience remains pure, and our legacy inspires many to do the same. John showed more power than Herod, and up to today his message still touches the hearts of the people, strengthening us when we are to stand for truth at whatever cost. Those who are inspired by Herod will have their sins haunt them till the end, but we who are inspired by John will enjoy the fruits of our courage. When we courageously stand for the truth, whatever happens to us, our message will go everywhere, and this is when we are strong.
Let us Pray
O God, who willed that Saint John the Baptist should go ahead of your Son both in his birth and in his death, grant that, as he died a martyr for truth and justice, we, too, may fight hard for the confession of what you teach. Amen
Be blessed
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