Mother Knows Best

Upon seeing the captive prophet Jochanaan, the princess Salome becomes intensely fascinated with his appearance. After Jochanaan rejects her wish for a kiss, Salome returns to the palace, where she is greeted by Herod’s lustful stare. Herod invites Salome to have dinner with him, but she refuses. He then proposes a deal: He will grant her whatever she wishes if she dances for him. Despite her mother’s impassioned pleas not to accept Herod’s offer, Salome agrees—bringing her tale to a dark (and bloody) end.

It can be difficult for students to listen to the guidance of a parent whose advice directly opposes their own wishes. Ask them to think back to an instance when someone advised them not to do something, and they did it anyway. Were there negative consequences? Looking back on the situation, would they make the same choice again? How might things have changed for Salome had she listened to her mother’s advice? If they could give guidance to their past selves about that situation, what would it be? Have students take a moment to jot down any concrete ideas they might be able to use for similar situations in the future.