Iron & Altar

"His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus." - Matthew 14:12

Herod was distressed. The Gospel says so explicitly. He liked John - we are told that earlier in the chapter. He knew killing him was wrong. And when the moment came, with the guests watching and the oath spoken and the girl waiting, he caved. Two fears working in the same direction, and he made the wrong call.

That is a story about a man who knew the right thing and didn't do it because of who was in the room.

John's disciples did something harder and quieter. They buried their teacher and went and told Jesus. No plan beyond that. No next move announced. Just the grief brought to the one place it could actually land.

August begins today. The month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - the woman who spent thirty years doing the small faithful thing and bringing everything to her Son. Brother, whatever you are carrying into this month, that is the move: go and tell Jesus. Not after you have figured out what to say. Before.

Herod failed because he made a decision in front of the wrong audience. Brother, what decision are you facing where the audience in the room is making it harder to do the right thing? Name it. Then make the call you would make if only Jesus was watching. And tell another man what you are facing. August is a good month to bring it to the one who can actually hold it.

Lord, I want to be the disciple who brings the grief rather than the king who caves to the room. Receive what I am carrying. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. Amen.