WHO IS THE STRONGEST?
The
"world" and the "flesh" seek power for selfish gain. Jesus
our Lord teaches us to use it for the good of those around us each day.
Today's Gospel revolves around three
persons: Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, and King Herod. The one who by
official office should be the strongest, Herod, is in fact the weakest one.
Jesus is the strongest. The one who is most assertive and loses his life, John
the Baptist, is the precursor to a monumental change wherein the one who seems
the weakest will be the strongest and the one who claims to be the strongest
will be the weakest.
We read in yesterday's Gospel, that
Jesus, Who is the strongest, gives His Apostles both power and authority to
speak and to act in His name. To go out and do the good works which will heal;
to cast out evil spirits and to speak the Word of God - proclaiming the Gospel
message. He did something unheard of when he spoke about power and authority.
He wedded them with love and humility. The "world" and the
"flesh" seek power for selfish gain. Jesus our Lord teaches us to use
it for the good of those around us each day.
In the Responsorial Psalm we acclaim,
"Therefore will I proclaim you, O Lord, among the nations, and I will sing
praise to Your name" (Ps 18:50). Let us pray: May we bow before You as we
accept the unfamiliar image of the lightning and the fire. God, You sit with
me, and You ride on the clouds. The Psalmist says that You speak softly; You
are a loving companion, and You are the Creator of all. Teach us to safeguard
Your intimacy and closeness in our lives.
Blessed be God my salvation!