The Seventh Sunday after Trinity
“‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.”
Summary
This week’s gospel story is the middle slice of a sandwich: last week and next week we hear about Jesus sending out the 12 to begin their mission and ministry but this week the story is interrupted by the beheading of John the Baptist. The two stories have something to say about each other. Jesus’ ministry begins after John’s arrest, the disciples’ ministry begins after Jesus’ rejection in his hometown. In both cases what looks like failure empowers others to continue the enterprise. Herod has the power of life and death but he does not have the last word. He is disturbed because the power that was in John is now working in Jesus making him believe that “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised”. His power has been called into question. He cannot silence John by putting him to death if his voice continues to be heard in the mouths of others. Speaking truth to power comes at a cost. Yet the gospel tells us that the truth will inevitably prevail. In the words of Martin Luther King, “the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.” When we decide to commit our lives to truth and to justice our lives become about more than just us, we become a part of something greater. We take out place within a vast community of saints that stretches across time and place in the service of God’s kingdom.
GOSPEL
Mark 6.14-29
King Herod heard of the healings and other miracles, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’
For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
