Glad

Were it not for the mercy of God, I too – like Herod – would be martyring a Saint…

John the Baptist (Meng)

I have been reflecting on the sentiment of Herod that we are told about when listening to Saint John the Baptist.

“He heard him gladly”…

“Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her. For John said to 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 kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly.” (Mark 6:17-29).

There was Saint John the Baptist telling Herod things that were terrible and that would result in a great upheaval in his life if he actually chose to go ahead with it and there was Herod listening and perplexed and still listening gladly to what was being said.

And I have been thinking about that because there is something attractive about the Truth.  We are drawn to it, even when it pains us to hear it or the truth means that we need to make changes in our own life.

That truth, that knowledge is what draws us to God – whether we want it to or not.

And today it occurs to me that the spiritual warfare that took place with Herod was significant.  You see, Herod was gladly listening and perplexed while he was listening.  And yet still he would listen and try to understand what he was being told.  And even then, he could not really turn away.  And so the Evil One got to him in another way…

He could not stop Herod’s ears, and so instead he infected the heart of Herodias with pride and contempt so that she would seek vengeance on Saint John the Baptist for daring to speak out.  And it was THAT infection that prevented the truth from being heard.  Without that, perhaps Saint John would not have been murdered and instead, Herod would have been converted.  Perhaps too then when Christ stood before him, Herod would have acted differently?

So many other realities might have been possible if only the message of the Truth was heard.  And it seems to me today that such a message is so often lost in all the sins around it.

And when I think about that today and I consider the various ways that I can stumble into ignorance, shying away from the truth because the Evil One has infected my heart or mind with ideas that prevent me from seeking truth and instead keep me lost in darkness, I am quite overcome.  Because were it not for the mercy of God, I too – like Herod – would be martyring a Saint…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.