"Beads of Joy" by RosaryManJim: Righteous and Holy Man

BEADS OF JOY 02-08-19

“Righteous and Holy Man”

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel:
Mark 6:14-29 (The Death of John The Baptist)

“King Herod heard of it; for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him." But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It 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 Herod 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 said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly.

But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias' 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 grant it." And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." And she went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the baptizer." 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 a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his 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.”

Reflection:
Today's gospel of John the Baptist's death is so sad. One may not have thought Herod would have done this to him, considering Herod not only feared him; but Herod also knew John was a righteous man. But then in the heat of Herod's many passions at a party, and the fear of bruising his own powerful ego. Herod did the unthinkable and he had John beheaded. Do we have guilt that haunts us? Are we able to ask for forgiveness and move on with our lives, knowing that God will forgive us? Or do we have grudges and hidden sins that we try to hide? Herod no doubt couldn't get this horrific act of murder off his mind. See when Jesus became known to Herod, he was convinced that Jesus was John raised from the dead. How do we feel about past things we have done? Are we able to seriously ask for forgiveness and move on? Hopefully we don't have any secret sins we never asks forgiveness for, or sins maybe we still have hidden? Let us take a moment and reflect on Herod's choices, and take all of what happened from his own doing and try to understand it. If any of you have seen the movie "The King of Kings - (1961)" it will give you somewhat of an idea on "maybe" how Herod spoke to and about John. Herod said in the movie, "John is very great profit, he and I have talked much." So maybe that came out of a movie script and Herod never really said it; but then who really knows. Scripture does seem to show some respect from Herod towards John.

It is very possible Herod had John beheaded out of impulse, and after the alcohol wore off and the party noise was gone and the hang over came in, he realized what he had done. No, I have no experience in any of that. I am a dry Italian cowboy. LOL. I don't drink, except for the water on the rocks and of cause my occasional Mountain Dew. LOL. But you see when Herod was at that party at his palace, he was king of the show, looking for a young girl to dance for him, willing to do anything for her if she did. I think if he knew in advance that she would ask for John's head on a platter, he wouldn't have done it. But it was all part of God's will, so I guess somehow it had to happen.

God gives grace to us, especially when we humble ourselves before Him in confession, admitting our wrong doings. We must pursue holiness in all we do. The Holy Spirit is here to help us and lead us along the way.

"Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin. All hope consists in confession. In confession there is a chance for mercy. Believe it firmly. Do not doubt, do not hesitate, never despair of the mercy of God. Hope and have confidence in confession." ~St. Isidore of Seville

"Christians need to learn to forgive. How do we learn to forgive? By knowing that we too need to be forgiven." ~Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Please Forgive Me Lord

I bow my head in shame, before you Lord
I only desire your love and mercy,
I look down with shame for hurting you
As I beg for your forgiveness, I am happy.

I shall do my best to stay pure at heart
Never to offend you again,
But I know in my frail human condition
I can't really ever escape sin.

"Jesus, I trust in You."

King of Kings (1961)
Death of John the Baptist

Jesus Wants You
w/ Brother Casey Cole, OFM

Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?
w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Friday: We pray the Sorrowful Mysteries:

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1^.Agony on the Garden (Sorrow for sin) –Matt 26:36-46
2^.Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) –Mark 15:1-16
3^.Crowning with Thorns (Moral Courage) –Matt 27:27-31
4^.Carrying of the Cross (Patience) –Mark 15:20-22
5^.The Crucifixion (Perseverance) –Luke 23:33-46

Thank you Lord for loving us so much…