Daily Readings - Thu Aug 29 2024
Jeremiah
17Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.18For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.19And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.
Mark
17For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.18For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.19Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:20For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.21And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;22And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.23And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.24And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.25And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.26And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.27And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,28And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.29And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
Sermon
The readings today present us with powerful lessons about courage, integrity, and the cost of standing up for what is right. In the first reading, Jeremiah is called by God to be a prophet to the nations. Despite his initial hesitation, God strengthens him, saying, "I am with you to deliver you." This assurance is not a promise of comfort or ease but a guarantee of divine support in the face of adversity. Jeremiah is tasked with speaking difficult truths to a people who may resist or even oppose him. Similarly, in the Gospel, we see John the Baptist, who courageously confronts Herod about his sinful marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife. John’s unwavering commitment to truth leads to his imprisonment and eventual martyrdom. Herod, though aware of John’s holiness, allows fear of embarrassment and the whims of others to lead him into a tragic decision.
These readings remind us that living out our faith often requires us to stand firm in the face of opposition. Jeremiah and John the Baptist both faced formidable challenges, yet they remained faithful to their calling. Their stories highlight the tension between personal comfort and doing what is right. Jeremiah could have stayed silent, and John could have avoided confronting Herod, but both chose to act with integrity, trusting in God’s providence. This is a timeless lesson for us today. In our own lives, we may face situations where we are tempted to compromise our values or stay quiet in the face of injustice. The readings encourage us to embrace courage and trust in God’s presence, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or difficult.
Ultimately, these readings invite us to reflect on our own commitment to living as disciples of Christ. Like Jeremiah and John the Baptist, we are called to be voices of truth and integrity in a world that often resists it. This may require sacrifice, but it also brings the assurance of God’s presence and strength. Let us pray for the courage to stand firm in our faith, to speak truth with love, and to trust in God’s plan, even when the consequences are unknown. May we, like these prophets, be willing to pay the price for living according to God’s will.