GOSPEL READING: MARK 6:17-29
Herodias was holding a grudge against John. It is an un-forgiving attitude leading to bitterness. This is an internal attitude and it can cause great harm physically and mentally. Being patient with one another and forgiving one another are the remedies to overcome bitterness. Forgiveness makes free the one who is holding a grudge. Herodias was overburdened with grudge that it blinded her completely and she could not see anything good but evil.
Herod feared John. Fear is a vital response physical or emotional danger. Fear is a sense of worry or tension but its sources may not be clear. Here Herod is not sure of whom Jesus was; but because Jesus was speaking doing similar things like John, Herod feared him to be John. Fear is subservient to grudge and that was what happened in this case as well.
John was open minded person and he spoke openly of the truth. Openness does not lead one to fear death. John was preaching of forgiveness and reconciliation. He was just the opposite of Herodias and Herod put together in this story. When power is added to grudge and fear then evil and destruction are the consequences. But forgiveness and truth are the basic Christian virtues.
காழ்ப்புணர்வு என்பது மன்னிக்க மனமில்லாத நிலை. காழ்ப்புணர்வு காலக்போக்கில் அழிவுக்கு வழிவகுக்கும். ஏரோது பயந்து அஞ்சி வாழ்ந்து வந்தான். பயம் என்பது ஒரு இனம் புரியாத கவலை. யோவான் உண்மையே பேசி திறந்த மனதினனாய் வாழ்ந்து வந்தார். மன்னிப்பை போதித்து வாழ்ந்து வந்தார்.
