Friday, August 01, 2014

 

Saturday 17th Week in Ordinary Time

August 2, 2014
Saturday 17th Week in Ordinary Time
[Blessed Peter Faber, St. Eusebius of Vercelli, St. Peter Julian Eymard]

Jer 26: 11-16, 24 / Ps 69: 15-16, 30-31, 33-34 / Mt 14: 1-12 

Reading: Jer 26: 11-16, 24
Then the priests and the prophets said to the leaders of the people: "This man must die for he has spoken against the city as you have heard with your own ears!" Jeremiah replied, "I have been sent by Yahweh to prophesy against this House and this city all that you have heard. Hence, reform your ways and your deeds and obey Yahweh your God that he may change his mind and not bring upon you the destruction he had intended. As for me I am in your hands; do with me whatever you consider just and right. But know that I am innocent and if you take my life you commit a crime that is a curse on yourselves, on the city and the people. In truth it was Yahweh who sent me to say all that I said in your hearing." Then the leaders, backed by the people, said to the priests and the prophets, "This man does not deserve death; he spoke to us in the Name of Yahweh." As for Jeremiah he was befriended by Ahikam, son of Shaphan, and was not handed over to those who wanted him put to death.    

Gospel:  Matthew 14:1-12
At that time the news about Jesus reached King Herod. And he said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. John has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." Herod had, in fact, ordered that John be arrested, bound in chains and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.  For John had said to him, "It is not right for you to have her as wife." Herod wanted to kill him but he did not dare, because he feared the people who regarded John as a prophet. On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst of the guests; she so delighted Herod that he promised under oath to give her anything she asked. The girl, following the advice of her mother, said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a dish." The king was very displeased, but because he had made this promise under oath in the presence of the guests, he ordered it to be given her. So he had John beheaded in prison and his head brought on a dish and given to the girl. The girl then took it to her mother. Then John's disciples came to take his body and bury it. And they went to bring the news to Jesus.

Reflection:
     King Herod had a choice. He was the king, after all. He could have said no to the daughter of Herodias. No matter how important it was for a king to keep his oath, having someone innocent beheaded for the sake of not losing face is still wrong. He knew that. But because of his weak character, he agreed to do it. 
     This passage reminds us of how easily people can be persuaded to do the wrong thing for whatever reason we have.  It can teach us the value of choosing to listen to what people say or to listen to what God says. In King Herod's case, he chose to give in to a girl's  wish out of pride at the cost of the life of John the Baptist. 
     What do we know about John de Baptist?  He was one person who fully committed his life to God. He always tried to do the right thing, even at the expense of his life. He never compromised his beliefs or convictions to please anyone. He knew obeying God was the best and the only thing to do, so he did that. He loved God more than his own life. Can we honestly say the same? 

Prayer Requests:
We pray ...
... for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn
... for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary
... for families who are in need of healing
... for world peace and reconciliation
... for the repose of the soul of Welcie Candelaria, Jean Tears
... for the birthday intentions of Tiny del Carmen Alas

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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