Herod had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling 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 he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.
Herod was a man caught
between a rock and a hard place
Torn
Pulled this way and that
Knowing, that whatever he decides
will please some
and upset others
And, of course,
there was love at stake
the love of a woman
who wanted the man who spoke hard truths
to be silenced forever
Who are the folk who challenge us?
Who make us uncomfortable
Who speak of troublesome things
we’d rather not hear
And how does love
inform our choices?
Does love bring courage
or the burden of attachment?
Does love make us bold
or silence our conviction?
May we have the wisdom
to sift what we hear
for what is true
even when it hurts.
And may our love
never be compromised
especially when choice is demanded
May grace be sufficient in all
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