Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24 / Matthew 14:1-12
At times we wonder if being good and doing good is really worth it.
Because very often, we see, and even experienced, that good is being re-paid with evil.
John the Baptist just wanted Herod to repent and live a good life.
Because what Herod did was leading towards self-destruction.
John the Baptist had compassion for Herod.
In fact, Herod knew it, and that was why he was distressed when he had to give the orders for John's execution.
But goodness cannot be silenced or put to death.
Because in the person of Jesus, Herod was once again reminded of the goodness of John the Baptist.
When
we live out the Christian values of love, patience, gentleness,
humility, etc., and we get slapped in the face, we may wonder if it is
worth it.
But let us remember that all good comes from God.
When we do good, the benefactors are not just the others.
We
ourselves begin to realize our Christian identity and see the power of
goodness and the power of God's love happening in the lives of others.