Saturday of week 17 in Ordinary Time
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Saturday : Let us entrust ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Gospel – Matthew 14:1-12
“Give me John the Baptist’s head, here, on a dish”. Why? Because that is the only head which tells you the truth. Many times, we want to do this because we don’t like the head which tells us the truth. The girl said this because her mother prompted. Every important aspect in the whole story. Often, we do evil this because we are prompted by different things. Sometimes, we are prompted by things inside us, and sometimes we are prompted by things outside of us. In both cases, we listen to a voice that is evil because we are afraid of the truth. So, we want to silence the voice of truth. Truth liberates us. This act of silencing John, who represents the voice of truth, symbolizes the broader human inclination to suppress or eliminate those who challenge our moral failings or demand uncomfortable changes. The narration illustrates how people we react negatively to truth, not because it is false, but because it threatens their comfort, power, or status quo. It highlights the dual influences of internal fears and external pressures that drive individuals to commit acts of wrongdoing. Despite the immediate silencing of John, the narrative underscores a deeper, timeless message: truth, though often resisted and suppressed, possesses an inherent power to liberate and transform. It calls for introspection on our motivations and the courage to embrace truth, even when it is difficult or unsettling, as a path to genuine freedom, integrity, and moral clarity. Let’s reflect: How often I feel uncomfortable with the voice of truth?
Don Giorgio