The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl 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: 26-29)

Pride can be such a fragile thing.

Because of a drunken oath offered before a crowd of synchophats Herod betrays his own best judgment.

It was not the first time nor the last. Herod displays a similar mix of pride and failure of courage when Pilate sends Jesus to him.

Despite a lifetime of struggle, pride still undermines my best judgment and leads me into foolish traps.

Dear God, please take my pride and give it your purpose.