Daily Readings - Sat Jul 30 2022
Jeremiah
11Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, "This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!"12Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: "The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard.13Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.14As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right.15Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing."16Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, "This man should not be sentenced to death! He has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God."24Furthermore, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, and so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
Matthew
1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,2and he said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him."3Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,4for John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her."5Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.6On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much7that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.8Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."9The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted10and had John beheaded in the prison.11His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.12John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they 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.