https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nwPVMeTqZIM<\/a>\nI like this scene. \u00a0It contrasts the ragtag disciples and John in camel\u2019s hair\u00a0with the posh affluence and decadence of Herod\u2019s court. \u00a0At his court festivities\u00a0you have the power players, the beautiful people, the ones who matter and get all the headlines, indulging in all of their hedonistic glories. \u00a0By contrast \u00a0you have John in rags, chained to the prison walls, belting out the Prophets\u00a0for all it\u2019s worth.<\/p>\n
Herod, portrayed in all his oily sleaziness by von Trapp himself, is shown to be a weak willed, spineless type. \u00a0Having promised anything to a girl who danced\u00a0for him (and the dance, in the ancient world, packed more punch than even our modern cinematic treatments can muster), is in a bind. \u00a0He almost admires John, but has allowed his libido to put him in a compromising position. \u00a0As it so often does.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s been a lot of discussion\u00a0in recent years about the Church\u2019s approach to\u00a0those rascally \u2018sins of the flesh.\u2019 \u00a0Sins of the economy yes. Sins of the oppressive and powerful, sure. Sins against the environment? \u00a0We\u2019ll trash and hash those all day. \u00a0But we\u2019ve more or less gotten to a \u2018don\u2019t ask, don\u2019t make us tell\u2019 approach when it comes to those sins below the waistline. \u00a0They\u2019re still part of the \u2018not of God\u2019s Kingdom\u2019 package. \u00a0And like anything, when we deviate, excuse, or attempt to compromise with the world over the Kingdom the results are seldom good. \u00a0See the above clip for an example. \u00a0On this day in which historic Christendom commemorates the Baptist\u2019s beheading, that\u2019s something to think about.<\/p>\n
17\u00a0<\/sup>For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip\u2019s wife, because he had married her.<\/span> 18\u00a0<\/sup>For John had been saying to Herod, \u201cIt is not lawful for you to have your brother\u2019s wife.\u201d<\/span> 19\u00a0<\/sup>And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not,<\/span>20\u00a0<\/sup>for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n21\u00a0<\/sup>But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.<\/span>22\u00a0<\/sup>For when Herodias\u2019s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, \u201cAsk me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.\u201d<\/span> 23\u00a0<\/sup>And he vowed to her, \u201cWhatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.\u201d<\/span> 24\u00a0<\/sup>And she went out and said to her mother, \u201cFor what should I ask?\u201d And she said, \u201cThe head of John the Baptist.\u201d<\/span> 25\u00a0<\/sup>And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, \u201cI want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.\u201d<\/span> 26\u00a0<\/sup>And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her.<\/span> 27\u00a0<\/sup>And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John\u2019s