Daily Catholic Mass Readings for August 29, 2024
First Reading: Jeremiah 1.17-19
17"Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.18Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land-against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land.19They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.
Psalm 71
1In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.2Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me.3Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.4Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men.5For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.6From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.7I have become like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.8My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.9Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.10For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.11They say, "God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him."12Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me.13May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.14But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.15My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.16I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.17Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.18Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.19Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you?20Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.21You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.22I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.23My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you- I, whom you have redeemed.24My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.
Gospel: Mark 6.17-29
17For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married.18For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."19So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to,20because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.21Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.22When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.23The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you." And he promised her with an oath, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom."24She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?The head of John the Baptist," she answered.25At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter."26The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.27So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison,28and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.29On hearing of this, John's disciples came and took his body 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.