Daily Readings - Sat Jul 30 2022
Jeremiah
11Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.12Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.13Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.14As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you.15But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.16Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.24Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
Matthew
1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,2And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.3For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.4For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.5And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.6But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.7Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.8And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.9And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.10And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.11And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.12And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told 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.