RBWords

     Today's liturgical commemoration offers us all kinds of dramatic material, which is probably why operas and church plays have re-enacted it over the centuries time after time.  I'm sure they found a way to avoid the real decapitation, however.  Notice, first of all, that there has been a recent change in the title of the feast.  It used to be "the Beheading of John the Baptist."  Now it's "the Passion of John the Baptist!"  The liturgical powers-that-be have gotten a little prim!  There's no escaping what happened!

 

     It was one crazy birthday party!  Of course, things had built up to the occasion.  John the Baptist confronted Herod Antipas and Herodias about their marriage.  They had both been married before, and Herodias was also Herod's niece!  Oh my!  As the saying goes, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!" and Herodias just waited for the right opportunity.  John was already in custody because of his prophetic stance.  Salome was the chosen instrument and even if it was Herod's birthday, she's the one who got her wish:  John's head on a platter!  I don't think I would have wanted to be In that room when the grisly platter was brought in!

 

     It would all be just biblical theater were it not for the continual spectacle in recent years of immoral conduct in high (and lower) public officials!  These characters go to considerable lengths to conceal their shenanigans, including hiring "hit men" to assassinate opponents.  In today's liturgy, John the Baptist becomes the patron saint of "whistle-blowers!"  Now it seems that certain political figures make "forgiveness" a part of their campaigns!  Ah well....we must forgive the sinner, but we are not morally obliged to vote the sinner back into office!   AMEN