Daily reflection _ who is the strongest?

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.
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
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!