Lectionary: 406
Reading 1
Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24
The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people,
“This man deserves death;
he has prophesied against this city,
as you have heard with your own ears.”
Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people:
“It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city
all that you have heard.
Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds;
listen to the voice of the LORD your God,
so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.
As for me, I am in your hands;
do with me what you think good and right.
But mark well: if you put me to death,
it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves,
on this city and its citizens.
For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you,
to speak all these things for you to hear.”
Thereupon the princes and all the people
said to the priests and the prophets,
“This man does not deserve death;
it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.”
So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah,
so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Rescue me out of the mire; may I not sink!
may I be rescued from my foes,
and from the watery depths.
Let not the flood-waters overwhelm me,
nor the abyss swallow me up,
nor the pit close its mouth over me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Gospel
Matthew 14:1-12
Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus
and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist.
He has been raised from the dead;
that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”
Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison
on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
for John had said to him,
“It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people,
for they regarded him as a prophet.
But at a birthday celebration for Herod,
the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests
and delighted Herod so much
that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for.
Prompted by her mother, she said,
“Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests who were present,
he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl,
who took it to her mother.
His disciples came and took away the corpse
and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: SIN-SICK?
"Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the Lord your God, so that the Lord will repent of the evil with which He threatens you." –Jeremiah 26:13
When Herod heard of Jesus, he didn't think of Jesus. Instead, Herod thought of John the Baptizer (Mt 14:2). Herod may have been eaten up with guilt for beheading John. This hell of guilt was due to murder, which was due to pride and lust (see Mt 14:3ff). Herod's lust was bred in unforgiveness or some other root sin.
When we sin, we "get on a roll" of slavery, self-deception, self-hatred, spiritual blindness, spiritual anorexia, and spiritual paralysis. Ultimately, "the wages of sin is death" (Rm 6:23). If we board the train of sin, we will do things that we consider "sick," perverted, and perverting. We will be taken to places we've never wanted to go. Ultimately, we can go to hell.
Therefore, love God and hate sin (see Sir 17:21). Resist temptations to sin – even to the point of shedding your blood (Heb 12:4). If you have sinned, repent immediately. Go to Confession. Consider this sacrament a great gift to be received at least monthly. Be a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18): love sinners; hate sin; convict others of sin (see Jn 16:8); call them to repentance. Above all, thank Jesus always and forever for being the slain Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29).
PRAYER: Jesus, I accept You as the Offering for my sins and for the sins of the whole world (1 Jn 2:2).
PROMISE: "It was the Lord Who sent me to prophesy." –Jer 26:12
PRAISE: Even in the sufferings of being exiled for his faith, St. Eusebius rejoiced in the Lord and encouraged his fellow believers, writing: "Dearly beloved, I rejoice in your faith, in the salvation that comes from faith, in your good works."
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