We’re likely familiar with the story of John the Baptist’s death at the hands of Herod (Mark 6:17-29). Herod had John imprisoned and as the story unfolds, Herod throws a party for the most influential people of his day.

At the party his stepdaughter performs a dance which so delights Herod that he promises her anything she wants, even half his kingdom. Her macabre request, prompted by her mother, is of course the head of John the Baptist.

Herod is perplexed because he neither wants to break his promise, nor fulfill the request. In the end, the promise is kept, resulting in an innocent man’s death.

We can look at Herod’s predicament as one of his own making. And certainly one in which his pride was his downfall. Rather than do the morally correct thing, he gives in to the pressure he feels. He had the power to save John from execution, but doing so would make him look weak or as someone who doesn’t keep his word.

Even though Herod’s keeping his promise meant a grave evil would be suffered, and even though his actions were horribly self-centered and evil, nevertheless, if there is anything even remotely commendable to his behavior in this episode, it would be that he kept his word.

It’s bad enough when a horrible evil befalls the innocent because of a kept oath, but perhaps even worse is when a horrible evil befalls the innocent because of a broken promise.

Being able to do the right thing, even in minor matters can be a real challenge at times, but as the seriousness of the moral responsibility increases, so too does the need for more and more moral courage to do the right thing.

Moral courage was lacking for Herod to be sure, but it is also clearly lacking for many politicians today. Take for example the recent actions on the part of the Illinois governor.

The governor made a promise to the people of Illinois in April of 2017 that he would veto House Bill 40 — a bill aimed at keeping abortion in Illinois legal if Roe v. Wade were overturned and to allow the tax dollars of Illinois citizens to be used to fund abortions through the Medicaid program — something which most people in Illinois (even some who support abortion) oppose.

While the governor’s commitment to oppose pro-abortion legislation was always questionable at best, there were many in the pro-life community who saw him as at least more amenable to pro-life concerns than his staunchly pro-abortion opponent in the 2014 election. Many of the votes that put him in power came from those who trusted that at the very least, he wouldn’t make abortion more prevalent in Illinois than it already is.

Unfortunately, a lack of moral courage, coupled with a broken promise have just ensured that abortion will increase in the state. The simple fact is (demonstrated by other states around the country), when a state makes abortion more accessible — as funding it through Medicaid is meant to do — abortions increase.

Perhaps we shouldn’t be overly surprised by this turn of events. Evils, such as abortion, will always thrive and expand when people who have political power, lack moral formation and moral courage.

Doing the good thing is often difficult — for any of us, regardless of where we find ourselves in life. It is, and it will continue to be.

This can be a reminder to build up our own moral courage by striving to make good moral choices in even minor areas of our lives. Doing so helps us when the bigger decisions must be made.

Perhaps in this Respect Life month of October, we should recommit ourselves to praying for those with political power, that they have the moral courage to make decisions based on the defense of innocent life and not further the culture of death through broken promises or moral cowardice.