In today's Gospel, Matthew 14: 1-12, we are confronted with how much fear can interfere with our faithfulness to God and lead us to ignore our conscience and the Holy Spirit's guidance in doing what is right. In Herod's case, out of fear of the people who have grown to highly respect John the Baptist as a prophet, Herod refrains from killing him. He considered doing so because John the Baptist confronted him on marrying his brother's wife Herodias (he killed his brother Philip for that reason).
Fear also is the basis of his decision to grant his daughter's request, when, on his birthday, he is so delighted with a dance she performed for him that he promises her anything she asks of him. She consults her mother who asked for the head of John the Baptist to be brought to her on a platter. Afraid to not keep the oaths he made and also afraid of his guests' reactions to going back on his promises, Herod ordered John the Baptist's head brought to his wife Herodias, who also wanted John the Baptist dead because of his disapproval of their marriage.
Oh, my God, what fear and pride will prompt us to do! Help us, Lord, recognize the "Herods" within us. Help us recognize how fear and pride can and does interfere with our faithfulness to You, to others, and to our true selves in doing what is right and just. Help us be honest with ourselves and others when it is fear or pride directing us to act contrary to our conscience and to Your holy will for us. Help us, also to realize that when we protest too much about another person's challenges that such protestations may very well indicate that fear and pride are at work within us.
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