8.28.14

Lectio: : Mk 6.17-29                               

Meditatio: "Th e king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly despatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head on a platter and give it to the girl.” Mk 6. 26,27a

Oratio: O God, keeping our words and especially our oaths are why we were given the ability to speak but this is not an absolute requirement.             

I remember Herod gave his oath to Herodias’ daughter that he would give her anything she asked; and he felt compelled to honor her request for John, the Baptist’ head. Keeping our word and our solemn promises are expected by society; however, when we give our word or our oath without realizing the consequences of our keeping them, we are not obliged if the consequences are evil.. In prayer seek the grace to be a person of integrity and let our “yes” always means “yes” and our “no” always mean “no” always keep our word unless we realize it will cause evil.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what
God is saying to you.

Operatio:  reflect "not wish...bring back...head.” Herod considered keeping an oath and absolute and beheaded John the Baptist; Oaths are to be kept unless given without realizing the adverse consequences of keeping it. In prayer seek the grace of discernment as to the consequences of keeping one’s word has and always keep it unless it causes evil to self or to  someone else.

Tomorrow's reading:  Mt 25.14-30