Mark 6:17-29

       What price ?

17 For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Hero'di-as, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married  her. 18 For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 And Hero'di-as had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he  heard him gladly. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee.  22 For when Hero'di-as' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you  wish, and I will grant it." 23 And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." 24 And she went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the baptizer." 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

      Lightness or darkness? Truth or Lies?  Which ones would you prefer? Well, if you have to die for it, perhaps you think a little darkness might be ok or perhaps a little lie might be ok.

      John the Baptist did not settle. Perhaps he did not realize the risk he was taking by proclaiming the coming Messiah. He wound up paying the ultimate price.

       We have two choices to make in life. One involves our faith and one involves who we are as people. It is extremely rare these days that someone is asked to pay the ultimate price for their faith in Jesus Christ although it does still occur. These people are true martyrs. This is not to be confused with jihadist bombers who consider themselves martyrs for their faith. It is still quite dangerous to admit that you are Jewish in many parts of the world. Would we be willing to stand up and say "I am a Jew" knowing the price you may pay? I honour those that do. We revere stories of people who risked thieir own lives to save the lives of Jewish loved ones and total strangers. There is power and honor in speaking the truth and owning what you say and do for a just cause.

       These days it almost seems fashionable to come out gay. To own up to who you are is still risky business though. I have spoken of the risks I took in coming out once I realized I was gay.  You may not  be beheaded but there are extreme emotional risks and prices you may have to pay, and yet we do it. We have to come out. We have to acknowledge who we are. It is as important as our faith because it is who God made us to be. I am heartened when I hear of someone who has stayed closeted for years deciding they have to come out because they realize the power, the dignity and the role they can play in helping others take pride and speak the truth of their own.

         We need to come out, not be outed. We need to take the risk. We need to have dignity and self respect. It really is as important as our faith, they are integrally mixed. We need to honor and support everyone's journey from the darkness into the light.