July 16,
2000
Mark 6:14-29 (CEV)
Jesus became so well-known that Herod the ruler heard about him.
Some people thought that he was John the Baptist, who had come
back to life with the power to work miracles. Others thought he
was Elijah or some other prophet who had lived long ago. But when
Herod heard about Jesus, he said, "This must be John! I had
his head cut off, and now he has come back to life."
Herod had earlier married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
But John had told him, "It isn't right for you to take your
brother's wife!" So, in order to please Herodias, Herod arrested
John and put him in prison.
Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But
she could not do it because Herod was afraid of John and protected
him. He knew that John was a good and holy man. Even though Herod
was confused by what John said, he was glad to listen to him.
And he often did.
Finally, Herodias got her chance when Herod gave a great birthday
celebration for himself and invited his officials, his army officers,
and the leaders of Galilee. The daughter of Herodias came in and
danced for Herod and his guests. She please them so much that
Herod said, "Ask for anything, and it's yours! I swear that
I will give you as much as half my kingdom, if you want it."
The girl left and asked her mother, "What do you think I
should ask for?"
Her mother answered, "The head of John the Baptist!"
The girl hurried back and told Herod, "Right now on a platter
I want the head of John the Baptist!"
The king was very sorry for what he had said. But he did not want
to break the promise he had made in front of his guests. At once
he ordered a guard to cut off John's head there in the prison.
The guard put the head on a platter and took it to the girl. Then
she gave it to her mother.
When John's followers learned that he had been killed, they took
his body and put it in a tomb.
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1.
Throwing a party for yourself is helpful in light of the commandment
to love your neighbor as you love yourself. We do need a good
appreciation of who we are which leads us to appreciate the goodness
of all creation. By all means throw a party if it leads to the
building up of the whole community.
2.
Throwing a party for yourself is not helpful in light of getting
stuck with your deeds and actions which lead to slighting that
which you know to be good and holy to save face. Isn't this where
life goes astray -- knowing the good and holy and not being able
to set it free to be the good and holy and lead one to being good
and holy. First we protect ourselves from the changes needed by
the good and holy and then, so quickly and easily, we destroy
it altogether. This is the state of affairs we constantly find
ourselves dealing with in every era.
3.
So there you have it. The grand choice between throwing a PARTY
and THROWING a party. May your week bring you to a PARTY which
enhances goodness and holiness. May you receive forgiveness for
THROWING away that which is so precious, our relationship with
one another and with GOD.