Aspire to Live a Tranquil Life

~~~ Passion of Saint John the Baptist ~~~

~~~1 Thessalonians 4:9-11 ~~~ Psalm 98 ~~~ Mark 6:17-29 ~~~

...aspire to live a tranquil life,

to mind your own affairs,

and to work with your own hands...

Herod lived anything but a tranquil life.

He was chosen by the Romans to be King and ruler of Israel.

Herod's family were not from the Jewish people.

They were however, very good politicians.

Herod could not mind his own affairs 

when his brother's wife caught his eye.

Since he was not allowed to have two wives he divorced his own wife

so that he could marry hie brother's wife, Herodias.

Of course she had to divorce her own husband 

before she could marry her husband's brother.

Life was far from tranquil.

In the midst of this mess John the Baptist

quickly points out the Jewish laws they are breaking...

He cites (Leviticus 18:16 and 20:21)

You shall not have intercourse with your brother’s wife;

 that would be a disgrace to your brother.

(18:16)

If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is severe defilement 

and he has disgraced his brother; they shall be childless.

(20:21)

When he did this Herod ordered John's arrest.

Ultimately Herod has John beheaded at the request of his daughter.

You are probably familiar with this story.

Herod doomed himself to never leading a tranquil life.

We sometimes create situations in our own

 lives that rob us of having a tranquil life.

What is it that keeps you from a tranquil life?

Herod was more interested in his political position.

He was more interested in caring what people would 

say if he did not keep his word.

Herod failed to value his own peace of mind.

You can choose to place yourself in a tranquil place.

When our environment is tranquil

it is much easier to find inner tranquility.

It is this inner tranquility that makes a tranquil life.

John the Baptist had no idea that his words to Herod

 would end up with his death.

He was well respected by the people.

He had a following of believers.

People listened to John.

The tranquil life that John once had was taken

 from him by his violent death.

Seek a place where you can tap into the stream of tranquility.

A tranquil life may only be possible for short periods of time...

cherish them while you can.

"Our life depends on the kind of thoughts we nurture.

 If our thoughts are peaceful, calm, meek, and kind,

 then that is what our life is like..."

 Thaddeus of Vitovnica

A tranquil life is something to treasure.

Blessings of pieces of peace.