Daily Reflection – 2/6/2026
Sacred Scripture
King Herod heard about it, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. . . . Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias’s own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” . . .She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The 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 dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. (Mark 6:14-29)
Reflection
Today’s Gospel is not an easy one. It’s raw, unsettling, and painfully human. The beheading of John the Baptist is not a story we tell to comfort ourselves. It exposes the fragile places in the human heart — fear, pride, resentment, insecurity, and the terrible things we do when truth asks more of us than we are ready to give.
But tucked inside this dark passage is a line that reveals everything:
“When Herod heard John speak, he was very much perplexed… yet he liked to listen to him.”
Herod wasn’t immune to truth. He wasn’t untouched by holiness. Something in him recognized the voice of God when John spoke. Something in him wanted to be better, braver, freer.
But fear won. Fear of losing face. Fear of losing approval.Fear of being changed.
And that is where this Gospel meets us.
Because every one of us knows that place — the place where truth stirs something deep inside us, but fear whispers, “Not yet.” The place where we feel the pull of God, but the weight of expectations keeps us frozen. The place where we know what is right, but we’re afraid of what it might cost.
John the Baptist gave his life for truth. But the deeper truth is this:
God’s work does not end when human courage falters. The stream of grace flows around every obstacle. The City of God remaineth.
The first disciples had to learn this. We are still learning it today.
Despite setbacks, despite losses, despite the moments when we fall short, the work of God continues. It does not depend on our perfection — only our willingness.
We are called to keep the lights bright in the City of God. Not hidden behind closed doors. Not buried in private belief. But shining — gently, courageously, faithfully.
The world does not need louder voices. It needs truer ones. It needs hearts that refuse to hide their light. It needs disciples who are willing to be faithful, even when it’s costly, even when it’s lonely, even when it’s misunderstood.
And the miracle is this: When we speak truth with love, when we stand with integrity,
when we refuse to betray the light within us…God does the rest.
The work continues. The Kingdom advances. The light spreads. And the world is changed — one faithful heart at a time.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord Jesus, give me a heart that listens to Your truth without fear. Give me the courage to speak with love, the humility to act with integrity, and the strength to stand firm when the cost feels heavy. Form in me the likeness of Your own courage — steady, gentle, unwavering. Let my life shine with a light that does not hide, a truth that does not bend, and a love that does not fail. Amen.”
Daily Note
Truth doesn’t ask us to be fearless — only faithful.
