Daily Readings - Sat Jul 30 2022
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 powerful lessons about courage, integrity, and the consequences of our choices. In the first reading from Jeremiah, the prophet stands before the leaders and people of Jerusalem, accused of treason for speaking God’s truth. Jeremiah’s courage shines through as he declares that he is in their hands but warns them that killing him would bring innocent blood upon themselves. The people, recognizing the authenticity of his message, spare his life, thanks in part to the intervention of Ahikam. This passage reminds us that speaking the truth can be dangerous, but it is also a call to trust in God’s providence and to act with integrity.
In the Gospel, we see a stark contrast as Herod, driven by fear and pride, ultimately gives in to the whims of his stepdaughter and beheads John the Baptist. Herod’s actions are a tragic example of what happens when we allow sin and selfishness to guide our decisions. John, like Jeremiah, had spoken truth to power, calling Herod to repentance for his immoral union with Herodias. His martyrdom underscores the cost of faithfully witnessing to God’s truth, but it also reveals the enduring power of integrity and righteousness in the face of evil.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Are we willing to stand firm in our faith, even when it is uncomfortable or risky? Do we allow fear or pride to dictate our choices, or do we seek to follow God’s will, even when it is difficult? The examples of Jeremiah and John the Baptist remind us that living as disciples of Christ requires courage, humility, and a commitment to truth. Let us pray for the grace to remain faithful in the face of challenges and to trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.