Herodias led her child and her husband into Hell and I – like all mothers (and leaders) must pray for the Grace to never do such a thing as that…
There is a funny little movie, called “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, which I have watched countless times. In the movie, there is a scene, where the mother says, “The man is the head of the house, but the woman is the neck, and she can turn the head any way she likes…”
And I have been reflecting on this funny – and I must admit, often true – line from the movie over the last day or so…
You see, there is a story that we are told in the Gospel about a woman, who did not just turn the man of the house any way she wanted, but also the daughter as well…
“Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.’ And he promised her with an oath, ‘Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for?’ ‘The head of John the Baptist,’ she answered.” (Mark 6:21-24).
And I have been reflecting on that story.
You see, the beheading of Saint John the Baptist is a very old and familiar story for me. I have heard it so many times that I am almost immune to the evil and horror of the story itself.
Imagine the scene as it actually unfolded… Imagine how evil the scene actually was… There was John the Baptist – already being help prisoner for speaking out against the lifestyle of the ruler of the day – being ordered to death at the whim of a young girl, as directed by her mother in revenge against his words! And there was the man of the house and the leader of the kingdom, being led by the whims of a woman to darkness and evil.
Now, I am a mother and a wife, and when I heard this story the other day, it occurred to me that I have great power in my home – a power that I could not even imagine… You see, my family follow my example, whether I want them to or not. If I am unhappy, my family is unhappy. If I am joyful, my family is joyful. If I am honest, my family is honest. If I am dishonest, the same thing happens with them…
And it occurs to me today that I must be on my guard against the dangers of evil in my home. For Herodias led her child and her husband into Hell and I – like all mothers (and leaders) must pray for the Grace to never do such a thing as that…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.