time warp?
"The Lord forgave him his sins and exalted his strength forever." —Sirach 47:11
Herodias hated St. John the Baptizer for pointing out that she was an adulteress (Mk 6:18-19). When she said she wanted John's head, her daughter took her very literally, added on to her request, and asked Herod: "I want you to give me, at once, the head of John the Baptizer on a platter" (Mk 6:25). Herod granted her request. So a waiter walking around with John's head on a platter may have been part of the "entertainment" at Herod's birthday party.
To put it mildly, Herod was warped. He was warped in and by adultery, and in and by murder. When Herod later heard of Jesus, he projected his perversion and misidentified Jesus. "Herod exclaimed, 'John, whose head I had cut off, has been raised up!'" (Mk 6:16) Satan had twisted the mind and heart of Herod for many years, through sin after horrible sin, from adultery to murder, so that when Herod heard of Jesus, he would certainly jump to the wrong conclusion and live a Christ-less existence forever.
At this moment, many of us are being blinded, numbed, and warped by sin. In the near future, we may have our best or even last chance to recognize Jesus as our Lord and God. Repent now. Begin to return to reality. Jesus is coming soon. Don't miss Him.
Prayer: Father, "I want to see" (Mk 10:51).
Promise: "With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had His praises sung." —Sir 47:8
Praise: St. Agatha accounted all as loss except preserving her Christ-filled relationship. When offered a chance to escape martyrdom by becoming a prostitute, she exclaimed: "Christ alone is my life and salvation," and was executed as a martyr.
Reference: (Restore the Joy of Living in the Spirit with a retreat of that title in the Cincinnati area. Call 513-373-2397 or visit our web site, www.presentationministries.com, for details.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 28, 2015
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