Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head.

We should never allow our sense of pride to overrule our judgement and morals. Herod knows in his heart that killing John the Baptist is the wrong thing to do, but he allows his desire to not lose face to overrule his conscience. He puts himself first and the truth last. He makes a foolish oath and instead of recognizing his foolishness and taking back his oath, he decides his pride is worth more than a man's life. We can sometimes do this in our own lives. We allow peer pressure to lead us astray. We can make bad decisions because we are more interested in protecting our pride than we are the truth and righteousness.

What areas of our lives are prideful? How can we put aside our pride and do what is right? Are we willing to stand up against peer pressure and stick to the truth no matter the cost?

O Lord, help us resist the temptations of pride and selfishness.

Amen.