Daily Readings - Sat Aug 01 2020
Jeremiah
11And the priests and the prophets spoke to the leaders and to all the people, saying: "A judgment of death is for this man. For he has prophesied against this city, just as you have heard with your own ears.12And Jeremiah spoke to all the leaders and to the entire people, saying: "The Lord has sent me to prophesy, about this house and about this city, all the words that you have heard13Now, therefore, make your ways and your intentions good, and heed the voice of the Lord your God. And then the Lord will repent of the evil that he has spoken against you14But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do to me what is good and right in your eyes15Yet truly, know and understand this: if you kill me, you will be bringing innocent blood against yourselves, and against this city and its inhabitants. For in truth, the Lord sent me to you, so as to speak all these words in your hearing.16And then the leaders and all the people said to the priests and to the prophets: "There is no judgment of death against this man. For he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.24But the hand of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, was with Jeremiah, so that he would not be delivered into the hands of the people, and so that they would not put him to death
Matthew
1In that time, Herod the Tetrarch heard the news about Jesus2And he said to his servants: "This is John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead, and that is why miracles are at work in him.3For Herod had apprehended John, and bound him, and put him in prison, because of Herodias, the wife of his brother4For John was telling him, "It is not lawful for you to have her.5And though he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet6Then, on Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced in their midst, and it pleased Herod7And so he promised with an oath to give her whatever she would ask of him8But, having been advised by her mother, she said, "Give me here, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist.9And the king was greatly saddened. But because of his oath, and because of those who sat at table with him, he ordered it to be given10And he sent and beheaded John in prison11And his head was brought on a platter, and it was given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother12And his disciples approached and took the body, and they buried it. And arriving, they reported it to Jesus
Sermon
The readings today present us with two powerful figures, Jeremiah and John the Baptist, who embody the courage and conviction required to speak truth to power. Jeremiah, a prophet in Jerusalem, faced opposition for his prophecy against the city and its leaders. Despite the threat of death, he remained steadfast, trusting in God’s mission. Similarly, John the Baptist, in the Gospel, lost his life for condemning Herod’s immoral actions. Both prophets stood firm in their commitment to God’s truth, even in the face of severe consequences.
The context of these readings reveals the tension between speaking truth and the cost that often accompanies it. Jeremiah’s prophecy was met with hostility, yet he was spared through the intervention of Ahikam, illustrating God’s providence. John the Baptist’s story, set amidst Herod’s moral corruption and fear of public opinion, highlights the tragic outcome of speaking truth in a morally bankrupt environment. Both narratives underscore the theme of prophetic witness, where the call to speak God’s truth is paramount, regardless of the outcome.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to reflect on our own commitment to truth and justice. Like Jeremiah and John, we are called to be prophetic voices in our own contexts—whether in our families, workplaces, or communities. This may mean standing up for what is right, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. The moral lesson is clear: integrity and faith require us to trust in God’s providence, even when the path is difficult. Let us pray for the courage to remain faithful, like these prophets, and to trust that God will guide us through the challenges we face.