The contradiction between the King and the Prisoner

GOSPEL THOUGHTS*

*Ordinary Season : 21st Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mk 6:17-29*

*First Reading : Jer 1:17-19*

*The contradiction between the King and the Prisoner*

*1) Is Herod King?*

The Gospel narration tells us that, Herod was called as King. So he is known as King Herod 

At the out set He is King. He is the King of the Place, He has his people, soldiers, power, authority, influence, and everything 

So from this point of view Herod is a king. 

*2) Is John the Baptist  a Prisoner?*

To this question, answer is He is the prisoner

He has been put behind the bar, by King Herod for Questioning and Condemning the immoral life of King Herod 

From this point of view, John was a prisoner

*3) Who is the Real King?*

To this question when we deeply reflect, we come to know that John the Baptist is the real King 

He is the King of Courage

He is the king of justice

He is the king of Sacrifice

He is the King of Morality

He is the king of Truth 

He is the King of Love 

He is the King of conscience

One who is king of these eternal things, he/she is the real king 

*4) Herod is the Real Prisoner*

From the Gospel it is very clear that

Herod was the prisoner of his authority

Herod was the prisoner of his power 

Herod was the prisoner of his sensual pleasure 

Herod was the prisoner of his insecurity

Herod was the prisoner of the fear of losing everything

Herod was the prisoner of his wife 

Herod was the prisoner of his dead conscience

Herod was the prisoner of the falsehood

Herod was the prisoner of destruction

When a person acts on these aspects he becomes a prisoner and not the King 

*5)  King Lives, Prisoner Dies*

John the Baptist who stood for truth, justice, courage, morality, sacrifice, still lives and lives for ever 

John lives for ever through His martyrdom

Herod, who killed John the Baptist, dies eternally because of his evil things 

He is a dead man, whose name is difficult to find in the book of Life 

*6) Am I Living as King or Prisoner?*

The way of Jesus makes us real kings in the Kingdom of heaven 

The king of service

The King of Love

The King of sacrifice

The king of humility

The King of morality

The king of moral courage

The king of forgiveness

The king of simplicity

But when we follow the standards of this world 

We become the prisoners of hatred 

Prisoners of power 

Prisoners of authority

Prisoners of wealth 

Prisoners of greed 

Prisoners of publicity

Prisoners of popularity

Prisoners of pleasure

Prisoners of sensuality

Prisoners of hypocrisy

So am I living a life of King or Prisoner?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*