In the story of John the Baptist’s beheading, Herod looks like the strong one, but John shows us where true strength lies. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass.
Readings for the memorial of the Beheading of John the Baptist can be found here.
Imagine that you are watching a game of chess. One player seems to be totally in control. He is able to look several moves ahead, and appears to outmanoeuvre his opponent at every turn. The other seems hopelessly out of his depth, losing pieces left, right and centre. Then suddenly the second player pulls something incredible out of the hat and ends up winning.
In today’s Gospel, Herod appears to be the one in control. He has all the pieces and has the power to make all the moves. First he wants his brother’s wife, and what Herod wants, he gets. Next he is able to order the execution of John the Baptist because he is an inconvenience. It might appear that John has lost – he has made the foolish move by sacrificing his life. But of course, John has won the moral victory by standing up for what is right.
The heart of today’s memorial of the Beheading of John is summed up by these words from Paul: “God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong”. The world, represented by Herod, values strength, power, getting one’s own way. Through the death of John, God shows us a different way. It’s a path of self-sacrifice and service, signs of apparent weakness, but one where true strength is to be found.
Mass today is in St Mary’s at 11.30am (preceded by morning prayer at 10.50am and the Rosary at 11am).
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