FIRST READING
Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24
The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people, “This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: “It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city all that you have heard. Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God, so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me what you think good and right. But mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its citizens. For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear.”
Thereupon the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.”
So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah, so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Rescue me out of the mire; may I not sink! may I be rescued from my foes, and from the watery depths. Let not the flood-waters overwhelm me, nor the abyss swallow me up, nor the pit close its mouth over me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help, O God, protect me. I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
ALLELUIA
Matthew 5:10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Matthew 14:1-12
Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”
Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.
REFLECTIONS:
Do you ever feel haunted by a past failure or a guilty
conscience? King Herod, the most powerful and wealthy man in Judea, had
everything he wanted, except a clear conscience and peace with God. Herod
had respected and feared John the Baptist as a great prophet and servant
of God. John, however did not fear to rebuke Herod for his adulterous relationship
with his brother's wife. He ended up in prison because of Herodias'
jealousy. Herod, out of impulse and a desire to please his family and friends,
had John beheaded. Now his conscience is pricked when he hears that
all the people are going to Jesus to hear his message of repentance and
to see his mighty works. Herod is now haunted by the thought that the prophet
he murdered might now be raised from the dead!
Unfortunately for Herod, he could not rid himself of sin by ridding
himself of the man who confronted him with his sin. Herod's power and influence
was badly flawed. He could take a strong stand on the wrong things when
he knew the right. Such a stand, however, was a sign of weakness
and cowardice. Where do you get the strength of will and heart to choose
what is right and to reject what is bad? The Lord gives grace and help
to the humble, to those who acknowledge their weanesses and their sinfulness,
and who look to God for his mercy and pardon, wisdom and strength. His
grace and pardon not only frees us from a guilty conscience, it enables
us to pursue holiness in every area of our lives, in our thoughts and intentions
as well as our words and actions. God's grace enables us to fight fear
with faith and to overcome the temptation to compromise good with evil.
Do you rely on God's grace and help to choose his way of holiness and to
reject whatever would weaken your faith and loyalty to Christ?
"Heavenly Father, form in me the likeness of your Son Jesus that I may
imitate him in word and deed. Help me to live the gospel faithfully and
give me the strength and courage I need to not shrink back in the face
of hardship and temptation."
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