Often when reading a Biblical text a seemingly minor point can rise up and bite you. Today, for example, we read that King Herod executed John the Baptist “because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to [Salome].” John the Baptist was in prison because he was willing to speak the truth even in the face of criticism. King Herod did something he knew was wrong because he didn’t want to look weak in the eyes of others. Think of even the minor things we are reluctant to confront in our lives like ethnic or racist or sexist jokes. Even when they make us uncomfortable when we hear such a joke we give a polite titter and hope things move on. Perhaps if we had some of the courage of John the Baptist and spoke up at such time we could help our society to become a little more compassionate and charitable.
