Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the
Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (08th February, 2019) on the Gospel
Heb 13:1-8;
Ps 26:1.3.5.8-9 (R. v.1);
Mk 6:14-29.
Topic: You can always recant.
Herod heard about Jesus and thought that John the Baptist has
been raised. He arrested, bound, and put John in prison on account of Herodias,
his brother Philip’s wife, whom he married because John told him repeatedly,
‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife’. Although Herodias
wanted to kill John but Herod protected him for he feared him. Herod liked
listening to him despite the fact that his words did perplex him greatly.
However, on Herod’s birthday Herod made a stupid promise publicly to Herodias’
daughter who entertained him and his guests to give her whatever she asked for.
Through the instigation of her mother she requested for and got John’s head.
Have you ever thought of what would have been Herod’s
decision if Herodias’ daughter had requested for his own head because he did
not exclude it, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you...”? Your speculation is
as good as mine.
There is an Igbo adage, okenye
anaghị agbụpụchaa racharakwa meaning that a man ought to stand by his
words. However, this stands when the words are not uttered in error because a
fool is better than a man who is hasty in his words, cf. Prov 29:20.
It is only God who does not call back His words, (cf. Is 31:2) because He is a perfect God,
cf. Matt 5:48; Deut 32:4; Job 37:16; 2Chro
19:7; Ps 18:30; 92:15. Herod
never thought the girl would ask for such. Hence he was deeply grieved. But the
big question is ‘why did he proceed to give order?’ He played God; he cannot go
back on his words. Wise people are ever ready to recant as soon as they
discover that they are in error. There is need to be steadfastness in what is
right.
It is not good to make hasty statements. If one makes a
mistake as we all make often, do not be ashamed to recant. Be humble enough to
admit mistakes and to amend.
Bible Reading: Ps 90:1-17.
Thought for today: Do not remain in your mistake/s.
Let us pray: Lord, help us to stand by you always
and be ever ready to amend our ways whenever we transgressed – Amen.
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