Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison
on account of Herodias, th noe 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.
We learn a lot about fear from the scriptures, and we see its display especially among the rulers in the Old and New Testaments. The so-called powerful often tremble before their subjects and cower before their superiors. In today's gospel, we hear of Herod fearing the people who regarded John as a prophet; and then of his fearing the guests at his own banquet. Fool that he was, he could not laugh at his own stupid remark and dismiss the child's demand with laughter. Fear made him subject to a child and her vindictive mother.
The prisoner John proved himself the better man by his fearless reproach of Herod. Everyone must have suspected that he'd murdered his own brother to marry his sister-in-law. History is all too familiar with that story, as Shakespeare would retell it in his play, Hamlet. John dared to speak the truth to power, and was prepared to pay the price.
The people of God fear God alone, and that is the foundation of their fearlessness. If they make a mistake they can laugh about it; so they dare to make mistakes without fear. If they fail in some venture, they have not invested their souls in the effort because that belongs to God alone. They move on to try again, When they sin -- as we all do -- they admit they've sinned, accept the mercy of God and the forgiveness of the Church; and feel neither need nor desire to repeat it. Fear never enters the discussion.
Lacking faith in God, many people arm themselves against their enemies, real and imagined. Their bravado creates a culture of death. But guns are a poor substitute for freedom from fear.
The Lord consistently demands that we trust in him and live without fear. If it's not an easy choice, it is simple.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.