A story of power

A homily based on the following Gospel reading from the Revised Common Lectionary:

Meanwhile Herod, the ruler of Judea, had heard about Jesus, whose reputation had become widespread. Some people were saying, “John the Baptizer has been raised from the dead, and that is why such miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others said, “He is Elijah;” still others, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” When Herod heard of Jesus, he exclaimed, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!”

Now it was Herod who had ordered John arrested, chained and imprisoned on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom Herod had married. For John had told Herod, “It is against the Law for you to have your brother’s wife.” As for Herodias, she was furious with John and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be good and holy, and kept him in custody. When Herod heard John speak he was very much disturbed; yet he was moved by John’s words.

Herodias had her chance one day when Herod on his birthday held a dinner for the court circle, military officers and leaders of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, this delighted Herod and the guests so much that he told the young woman, “Ask me anything you like and I will give it to you.” And Herod swore an oath, “I will give you anything you ask, even half of my entire realm!”

She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” Herodias replied, “The head of John the Baptizer.” The woman hurried back to Herod and made her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.”

Herod was deeply distressed by this request, but remembering the oath he swore before the guests, he was reluctant to break his oath to her. So Herod immediately sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring John’s head. The guard beheaded John in prison, then brought the head in on a platter and gave it to the young woman, who gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took the body away and laid it in a tomb.

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