“Torn: The Right or the Expedient Choice?” by Colleen O’Sullivan
We instruct you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to shun any brother who walks in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us. For you know how one must imitate us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-7a)
Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. (Psalm 128:1-2)
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| Caravaggio, Beheading of John the Baptist (1608), Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons |
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him… Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee... (Herodias’ daughter, after being much admired for dancing at the party,) went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request, "I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests, he did not wish to break his word to her. (Mark 6:20, 21b, 24-26)
Piety
Lord, every day, a hundred times a day, we have to choose between You and our self-interests. Give us the courage to choose You. Send us companions to surround and support us in living life as You did – for others.
Study
As I read the Gospel for today, what came to mind was a caricature of someone with a good angel on one shoulder and a bad one on the other, both trying to sway the person’s behavior.
Herod finds himself in that position, having to make an on-the-spot life and death decision. What to do? He’s at his own birthday party, having to choose between what his conscience is screaming at him and what he knows is wrong but will keep him on good terms with family and guests. He’s kicking himself for backing himself into a corner he can’t easily get out of. Part of him actually finds his prisoner, John the Baptist, an interesting and thought-provoking person to talk to. This strange man with even stranger clothes talks about the things that really matter in life. John is straightforward and honest. One could even say he speaks of the Truth. Herod can see something holy about him. Deep down, Herod has no desire to take his life. Who else will ever speak of salvation and eternity to him or of this mysterious Savior who, John says, will be much greater than himself?
On the other hand, he has to live with his wife, and she hates John the Baptist with a passion because John rightfully pointed out that Herod’s marrying her wasn’t in keeping with the law. And look at the guest list – courtiers, military leaders, everyone who is anyone in all of Galilee! Herod’s the king; he can’t afford to go back on his rashly uttered promise to give Herodius’ daughter anything she wants. He would lose face, and that just can’t be allowed to happen.
We don’t often hold the fate of another human being in our hands. But every day we have to make decisions that involve our consciences. Or, as Melanie Rigney so eloquently reminded us yesterday, we have to decide whether or not to polish the outsides of our cups for all the world to admire or clean their insides for God to see.
In today’s first reading, Paul suggests that our decisions are made easier if we hang out with the right people, people whose lives are lived in imitation of Jesus’ life. Our Cursillo groups are all about meeting those “right” people, others living authentic, Christian lives.
Action
We begin making choices between right and wrong at a very young age. Do we ditch a kindergarten friend, because he or she isn’t one of the "in" kids? (And don’t think this doesn’t start as early as kindergarten!) Do we care more about being popular than we do about hurting another person?
The stakes get higher as we grow older. Maybe the choice then becomes do I do drugs because my friends do, and I so badly want them to like me, or do I do the right thing and walk away?
As adults, do we walk out on our spouses and children because we’ve seen someone or something that appears shinier and more attractive, or do we do the right thing and attempt to work out whatever problems we have at home.
Share with Jesus one situation where you feel torn as to what to do. See if talking with the Lord clarifies matters for you. If you are still undecided, you might want to find a spiritual director to help you in your discernment.
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