Homily for Friday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time

The appeal made in St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews, “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect hospitality,” (Hebrews 13:1-2) is a noble, genuine invitation to all that is good in Christianity. What a contrast with the cruel interchange of lust, resentment, cynicism and cold-hearted violence that led to the beheading of John the Baptist.

Herod’s superficial self-indulgence, which was criticized by John the Baptist, led him to this tragic execution. Urged on by the spite of Herodias and the immodest dancing of her daughter Salome, the frivolous king sent a soldier to bring John’s head.

What a far cry from the ideals of love, hospitality, faithful marriage, and simple dignity, as proposed in our first reading today. But even in this moment of dire crisis, and in danger of his life, John the Baptist must have renewed his act of faith with that ultimate Psalm of promise, “The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?” (Psalm 27)+