THE BEHEADING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
(Mk 6:17-29)
It is all red today as we
celebrate the heavenly birthday of John the Baptist. While heaven received him
with great acclamation, the echo of his last cry continues to sound in all
generations, broadcasting with deep silence the ugliness of sin, grudge, pride,
etc.
“And Herodias had a grudge
against him.” Like a little drop, grudge sneaks into the heart almost unnoticed.
It emits negative charges that becloud the heart and unsettles the silence
within. The bearer then begins to blame his victim for the internal discomfort.
This in turn makes him feel that the absence of the victim would restore
silence and peace in his heart...Thus, grudge, hate and unforgiveness produce
such negative energy that is blood thirsty, secretly seeking the elimination of
its victim.
This was the energy Herodias
incubated within. At the slightest opportunity she snapped the platter off the
rack and handed it to her overly excited daughter...The hidden energy of grudge
in Herodias manifested its force in the hand of the soldier as he raised the
sharp sword and with a heavy thrust beheaded the Baptist.
His deep last cry and the
innocent blood that covered the floor continue to expose the lies that grudge whispers
to those who harbour it. As his blood flowed down, and his last cry continues
to resound, they reveal the strength of virtue; that truth cannot be silenced!
Love and truth instill a greater
energy in the heart and secures the silence within. Those who harbour love and
truth know freedom and peace. The force of this energy brings people closer; it
is life-giving.
John the Baptist had no grudge in
him but love and truth. He was a victim of the negative energy of grudge, but
the truth in him, like his blood that flowed over the prison floor, spread
through all generations and overcame the grudge that tried to silence him.
Therefore, we must constantly examine ourselves to ensure that the energy that beclouds
our hearts is fuelled by love and truth.
Fr
Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R.
Ss.
Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo,
Lagos.
Thursday
August 29, 2019
Memorial
of the Beheading of John the Baptist
