MY daily reflection and prayer:
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Matthew 14: 1-12
Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
WE may be so often like Herod. He ended up as a murderer rather than a good leader. He used his power to destroy rather than protect. He rejected John the Baptist even killed him brutally.
John the Baptist had been sent to prepare the way for Christ, yet Herod had arrested John, bound him, put him in prison and beheaded him. John the Baptist was a witness to the holiness of God but Herod did not want to hear him. We realize that sometimes the voice of God in our conscience can be bothersome, like John’s voice was to Herod.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist we adore Jesus Christ and ask him to give us a clear consciousness so that we may be converted. It is a chance to thank him for he reminds us of things we need to change in our life. How many times does he remind us of our call to holiness? Do we realize how much mercy he has already shown us?
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for enlightening our conscience with your Gospel. We will seek a deep conversion of heart. Help us to be brave to change our life and to live a life of Christian authenticity now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
