It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife

a sure way to stop human population

Mark 6:14-29
King Herod heard about Jesus, 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.  John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.  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.  Herodias 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.  His 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."  He even swore many things to her, "I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom."  She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?"  Her mother 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.

It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife


Lord,,
It can be so difficult to speak the truth to someone who does not want to hear it.  That is exactly what I was thinking about on my way here this morning.

How do I tell C that sex outside of marriage is wrong for homosexuals and heterosexuals when she has already decided it is not, when she works to advance the gay agenda?  Might her response be that  that is why they should be allowed to marry and be committed to each other like any heterosexual person?  She has already told me they (her gay friends) are way better parents than their own parents were.  What do I say to her?  There is nothing I can say that will change her mind and I fear that anything I do say will only increase her judgement of me.  Lord, I don't want to get into a battle of wits.  I know the truth is on my side and the devil is working to the other side.

Plant seeds with love and confidence.  That's all you can do, along with prayer.  It is not your job to convince her or change her mind.  That is mine.  You just do your part.

Lord, what do I say that will not shut her down more to your truth?  I can already tell by her words that she believes she is the righteous one because she is tolerant and loving and accepting of the choices of others.  I believe she believes adultery is wrong, but what words can I use to make the correlation.  That is what started this conversation and even then she had her facts about what the Church teaches wrong.

All you can say is truth in love.  Do not expect an instant conversion and you will not be disappointed when it does not happen.  It often takes years to change a hardened heart and mind.  You know that.


Just plant seeds, someone else will come along to water and tend to them.  Do not be anxious.  Lower your expectations for instant results and be happy that you are willing to risk coming across in a way that she chooses to believe.  She has already bought the lie.  If you expect that she will come back with, "you are right.  I never thought of that" and thank you for enlightenment, you will surely be disappointed and afraid to speak the truth again.  Remember that perception has no automatic link to truth.  Truth is not subjective.  Truth is truth and like John the Baptist, you are called to speak it no matter the risk.