When Herod heard John speak, he was very much perplexed (Mk. 6:14-29)

Today’s Gospel has three main themes: a conscience that has been silenced, a prophet whose bravery to preach repentance will not be quiet, and ultimately a king who fails to do what his heart tells him so as not to lose face.  We often can find ourselves taking on each of these roles in one form or another. Maybe someone in our family or community has shared a truth regarding us that we refuse to humbly examine. At other times, we are John the Baptist who speaks the truths of the Gospel even when we may figuratively lose our heads. Still, there are times we are more worried about the reactions of others and therefore we stay silent, even when the innocent are being affected.  Of course, we strive to be John the Baptist and so we must ask ourselves, for what are we willing to lose our heads?