A Precipitate End

Hearing today's gospel (Mk. 6:14-29), the story of John's beheading, my initial reaction was, "What a precipitate and inglorious end to a life dedicated to God. How could God allow that? To have one's head cut off and served on a platter!" But the real story, as Fr. Dan explained, is the force of evil in the world. Herod, beset by anxiety and fear, afraid of appearing weak and wanting to save face, went against his better inclinations and ordered John's execution. Our world seeks meaning. It can find much in the evil men do.