The Challenge to Stand Up for Truth

The Gospel of today, Mt 14: 1-2, presents the story of the murder of John the Baptist, who Herod wanted killed ultimately because he confronted him on taking his brother’s wife as his own, committing adultery with her.  The story is atrocious, as his wife’s daughter ‘s emotional hold on Herod leads to him ordering John the Baptist’s murder at the daughter’s request. The daughter is responding to her mother’s evil motive of doing away with John the Baptist, as well.  All are bound up in each other’s narcissistic, pride-driven, emotionally blinding intrigues.   Herod knows he is doing wrong but is too weak to acknowledge his rashness in promising his wife’s daughter anything she asked for—that is how taken up he was her dancing at his birthday party.  One sin leads to another and another and another.

Who would I have been in that crowd, as a participant in that party? Would I have stood up and challenged Herod? Would I have confronted Herodias and her daughter? Or would I have simply gone along with what was happening, too frightened of the consequences of standing up for truth and justice?

Lord, may I have the wisdom and the strength to step aside when emotions blind me from acting rationally and standing up for truth and justice.