As much as life is difficult and challenging, and the path of life has its twists and turns, yet there are principles in life that must be adhered to.
When the principles of life are followed, then all will be well and life can be lived peacefully.
In the 1st reading, the Lord God states the very basic principle of life, and that is "Let none of you wrong his neighbour, but fear your God; I am the Lord your God".
That is also another way of saying what the Christian principle of life is about, which is to love God and to love neighbour.
But when these basic principles of life are broken, then that is when troubles begin.
In the gospel, when the girl asked king Herod for the head of John the Baptist, he knew it was wrong to do so.
In fact, king Herod was distressed, but thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he gave in to her request.
Whenever the principles of life are infringed, the voice of God will be sounded in the depths of our hearts.
May we always listen to the voice of the Lord our God and walk in the path of life and love.