Making A Promise

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.
But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. Mark 6:14-29

When I was a child I remember making promises for life to my little friends. I do not remember the promises but I remember the intensity of the moment and the life long fidelity which we pledged. We would pinky swear and when we were older and braver, become blood brothers and blood sisters. In the heat of a moment we can make promises we believe are forever and iron clad.

We hear the story of the death of John the Baptist. He was beheaded and paraded around on a platter, all because a besotted celebrating king made a promise which his new wife and step daughter took advantage of. I cannot imagine the manipulation and selfishness it took to hold him to such a promise. Foolishness and cruelty all around.
They used the heat of the moment to destroy a life and a ministry. All too often, we humans take advantage of those moments to destroy others. God invites us to see the damage and selfishness in our desires to win over others. We are invited to know our hearts and ask forgiveness when we are overcome by cruel jealousy and anger when confronted by the truth.

Today I ask God to help me to use only compassion and forgiveness rather than manipulation and coercion. In every encounter we have choices. May we choose love and forgiveness, patience and kindness. May our lives be lived with the humility of fragile humans who trust in God and not in the control of others. May our lives be transparent today reflecting God's love alone in our hearts.