17th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, August 1, 2026
Reflection on the WORD
“God’s Truth” – Desires: When Herodias’ daughter asked that John the Baptist be “beheaded”, King Herod was greatly distressed. Ponder on, “Living in the Truth of God is the deepest desire of our hearts. So, sin will burden our hearts with falsehood; of having rejected God’s Truth and Love. But, when we live in God’s Truth; we will have deep peace to our lives.”
Matthew 14:3-10
It was Herod who had arrested John, chained him up and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John had told him, ‘It is against the Law for you to have her.’ He had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet.
Then, during the celebrations for Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and so delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked. Prompted by her mother she said, ‘Give me John the Baptist's head, here, on a dish.’
The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered it to be given her, and sent and had John beheaded in the prison.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- Herod chose to have John the Baptist beheaded rather than go back on his word and “lose face” with his guests.
- As Christians we must live by the Gospel values of Christ, however tempting the immoral or unethical the other options may be. We should always keep Our Lord at the centre of our daily living.
- We will surely find God’s graces to live with moral courage and fortitude, if we are resolved to live a Christ-centred life daily.