First Reading - Leviticus 25:1,8-17
Gospel - Matthew 14:1- 12
The first reading continues with the injunction of God to Moses for the celebration of festivals. In today's pericope, God commands Moses to introduce the festival of jubilee year to mark the beginning of the 50th year. The importance of the year of jubilee comprised of some important aspects. Firstly, to show that God is the owner of everything and whatever people have received is a gift from Him. Secondly, this was to start a new beginning of life, hence the slaves were to be liberated and were to return to their homeland and the land was to be left barren. The year of jubilee was to give people a hope of starting their life afresh.
The gospel recounts a tragic account of the death of John the Baptist. Herod had married his brother's wife, who was still alive, which was unlawful according to the Jewish law. To cap it all, Herod also unlawfully divorced his legitimate wife, without any serious reason, just to marry Herodias. This immoral act of Herod was outrightly condemned by John the Baptist. It was outrageous for Herod, hence he wanted to kill him but was afraid of people. Unfortunately, it was on his birthday, Salomi, the daughter of Herodias, danced and impressed everyone. Consequently, the king promised her to give anything on her request. The girl, on the advise of her mother, asked for the head of John the Baptist. What a gruesome scene! However, this particular episode projects the stubbornness of Herod and Herodias to acknowledge their faults and change themselves. Though the truth spoken by John was stern and hurting but that didn't touch their hearts but emotions. As a result, they were minded to kill John and ultimately succeeded in that.
Dear friends, it's admitted that truth that is spoken on the face hurts tremendously but if the fault is admitted and transformation has taken place that failure becomes a lesson rather than remains in us as hurt feeling. As the first reading of the day reminds us that God gives us chance to begin afresh and think anew, thus we are also expected to bring changes in ourselves everyday; changes in terms of shift from our failures, weakness and shortcomings to newness of life. Every new day is a sign that God gives us a new opportunity for the day to become better day by day. We can be also like Herod and Herodias who remained stubborn and refused to change themselves, though they knew their faults. Let's not be drowned in the mire of mistakes whereby we commit mistakes after mistakes like Herod and Herodias but find way out to begin anew.
The Church proposes the Sacrament of Reconciliation to overcome our sins and failures of life to become a new person every time. St. Ignatius of Loyola has proposed "examination of conscience" as a way to check ourselves whether we are on the right track or, due to our weakness, have gone astray. This is imperative to look into ourselves at the close of the day whether we have become a better person today or remained the same. It's where we bring about changes in us everyday.
May God help us change ourselves and become a new person: more loving, caring and considerate.
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