Herod’s Wife

Today’s Gospel Text: For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Hero'di-as, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her. 18 For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 And Hero'di-as had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Hero'di-as' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it." 23 And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." 24 And she went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the baptizer." 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. Mark 6:17-29

Reflection:  A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. Prov 31:10-12

Indeed the heart of Herod trusted her whom he took as his wife from his brother Philip, but was she a good woman or wife?

The fact that she chose to betray her husband for the sake of the wealth and power that lay in Herod gives us an indication into the character trait of the woman.

She was not only greedy, lustful but also vengeful and would go to any extent to achieve her goal. Hence she had John the Baptist beheaded because he questioned the morality of their relationship and marriage.

What good did she accomplish in achieving by her ambition the position which she sought as queen? It is for all to see!

This brings into sharp focus the ambition of men and women, who in order to reach their self centered goal and positions, for self glory, will go to any extent to accomplish them, even at the cost of crushing the other, through grave injustice, practice of every kind of depraved or sinful activities.

The difference between men and women seeking it is not much, the men will seek it through politicking, showmanship and intrigues while the weak men or woman will do so through subtle seductive suggestions and maneuverings.

Do I seek this self glory and power, either directly or by being close to people in power and positions?

The solution to the problem lies in allowing God’s light to shine in our hearts so as to reveal to us the ambitious self centered gains and the self glory we seek in life and humbly surrendering such ambitions to the Lord.

Prayer:  Lord, help me not to seek my own glory but your glory in all that I do.

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