Passion of John the Baptist, Tuesday – 29th August 2023 — Gospel: Mk 6,17-29
Double celebrations
Today’s passage is probably one of the best known birthday party stories ever! Because it clubs two celebrations, birth of a king and the death of a prophet. The story celebrates the birth of freedom of truth and the death of conscience. Mark hinted at John’s political death without any explanation much earlier saying, “Now after John was arrested…” (Mk 1,14). Only in chapter 6 after Jesus sent out his disciples on their first formal mission (6,7-13), and in remembering the birth of the King, Mark takes the opportunity to present the full report of John’s death, i.e., Jesus’ mentor, at the hands of Herod (6,17-29). In presenting this gruesome interlude the evangelist signals the termination of John’s mission and the expansion of Jesus’ mission. For John the Baptist the immediacy of his death was probably on his mind once he was arrested by Herod. However Mark’s narrative presents Herodias as directly responsible for his death. While most of the positive examples of women in the story were unnamed, the narrative here presents a woman of high standing with a name, as well as a “prize” for her on a platter. Even though her reward halted the work and mission of the messenger sent by God, yet John’s assertive proclamation of truth was an expression of his total commitment that kept echoing in the heart of Herod, long after his death.
