Schegge di vangelo a cura di don Stefano Bimbi
Sant’Agnese da Montepulciano a cura di Ermes Dovico

GOSPEL PEARLS

A troublesome prophet

He had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias (Mt 14, 3)

Schegge di vangelo 31_07_2021

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the 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. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said,Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus. (Mt 14,1-12)

Those who want to decide for themselves how to achieve happiness, do not love those who announce the truth because they feel accused. This is what happened to Herodias in relation to John the Baptist when he accused her of living with Herod despite her being married to her brother.