MATTHEW 14:1-12 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( August 1, 2020)
At that time the reports about Jesus reached king Herod. And he said to his servants, “ This man is Johns the Baptist. John has risen from the dead. 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 the 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. Her 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 oath, in the presence of the 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.
POINTS OF REFLECTION
Promise is an advocate of pride. Pride is regarded as the evil inside a human person. It is where the battle of life begins, inside ourselves. Herod from the very start is struggling fighting close to his own lust with Herodias. John’s presence in the life of Herod was a blessing shedding light to him on what is good or bad. John mitigated the impact of evil into the life of Herod but the Daughter of Herodias became Herod’s destruction by eliminating John the Baptist to further the interest of her mother and give way to Herod’s perdition.
Brothers and sisters, pride is the darkest side of a human person. It is always in association with a promise from which many become a victim. We need to be extra careful about these things that might curse you into hell.
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Doctor in Development Education ( Dev. Ed. D.), an all time educator as School Head and HEI Instructor.