Loving God, in spite of the sinfulness and stubbornness of human beings, you have never ceased in your quest to love and to bless the world.  By your Holy Spirit, empower us for all that you have called us to do, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen.

            Today’s gospel could be described as odd, or puzzling, or out of place, or even an interlude in the gospel of Mark.  For starters, it is the only story in the entire gospel that doesn’t have Jesus as the main subject.  At the same time, Mark includes more details in this story than any of the other gospels – even though stories in Mark are usually short and to the point.  And then there is the line where it says that “his daughter Herodias came in and danced” (Mk. 6:22) – and at least some of you were saying, “Wait.  Isn’t Herodias his wife?”

         Any of you who have ever taken a look at Herod the Great’s family tree will know that it is very confusing.  First off, almost everybody seems to be named Herod.  Today’s gospel features Herod Antipas and his wife Herodias.  Both are descendants of Herod the Great. However, Herodias used to be married to Herod (Philip), and they had a daughter named Salome.  The NRSV has a footnote with verse 22 that gives an alternate translation: “the daughter of Herodias herself” came in and danced.  The odd phrasing is likely because Salome was the daughter of Herodias, but not the daughter of Herod Antipas.  None of this, however, explains the whole beheading thing.

         The thing is that Herod Philip was still alive when his wife Herodias married his brother Herod Antipas.  This is why John the Baptist had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife” (Mk. 6:18).  John, who was a prophet, continued to speak the truth even when it was unpopular.  He could have been silent and saved his own life, but this was not God’s mission for him.  Thus, John dies when his mission is done and Jesus is just beginning his own mission.

         Ultimately, today’s gospel shows us not only what happens to prophets who speak truth to power, but what is likely to happen to followers of Jesus, as well.  We live in a world where those who wield the power do not like to be challenged by people who urge them to change the status quo.  In fact, all those who benefit from the status quo are not likely to change it even when it is a matter of justice and doing what is right.

         Thus, Herod, who seems to know that John is a righteous man, orders his death, because saving face in front of his guests is more important to him than doing the right thing.  Even Herod knows that there would be a cost involved in pursuing justice and righteousness – a cost that he is unwilling to pay.

         Thankfully, however, God does not count the cost like we do.  In fact, God has continued to show us the way of justice and mercy, even though it cost Jesus his life.  When we think about Jesus’ teaching, he often talked about counting the cost, and asked where our treasure is actually located.  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6:21).  Jesus also taught about not living in fear – “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Mt. 10:28).

         I have been wondering lately, as I have heard more stories about residential schools, what would have happened to people who worked at the schools, objected to what was happening, and dared to speak out about it to their superiors.  I imagine that these people must have been there, for it is hard to imagine people who claim to follow Jesus simply standing by while all manner of horrors unfolded before them.  However, if anybody did speak up, it certainly didn’t put an end to what was going on.

         This leads me to believe that those who were in positions of authority in the church at that time were benefitting somehow by keeping the status quo.  Those who objected were probably not beheaded like John the Baptist, but certainly could have been thrown in prison – or at the very least, removed from the schools and sent somewhere else.  There is always a cost involved when pursuing justice and righteousness.  Jesus, however, continues to challenge us to put God’s reign and God’s priorities ahead of everything else.

         This means putting people ahead of profit and putting justice ahead of our own comfort.  It means putting the well-being of the whole community ahead of our own personal wants and needs, and putting generosity ahead of greed.  It means putting doing what is right ahead of clinging to power and privilege, and putting love ahead of judgment.

         God, after all, has empowered us to do these very things – giving us the Holy Spirit, as well as the knowledge of the depth of God’s love for all people through Jesus Christ.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Lectionary 15B                                 Mark 6:14-29

July 11, 2021

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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