SATURDAY OF THE SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Mt 14:1-12 - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

"Because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given." (Mt 14:9)

READING OF THE DAY

A reading from the Book of Jeremiah

Jer 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.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Mt 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.

SATURDAY OF THE SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Mt 14:1-12

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

The Word of God in today's Gospel tells the story of King Herod. Because he kept his promise to the daughter of Herodias, who committed adultery with the king, he ordered the beheading of John the Baptist.

Through this story, Jesus wants to remind everyone: do not be greedy for worldly status and fame and do not be fooled by the desires of pleasure in this life. People today need to be alert and wise in every word and action. Do not be like the cunning King Herod, who, just because of an empty promise to a sinful daughter, killed a righteous man, that is John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Savior to come to the world. This is a grave sin for a king who cannot distinguish between what is just and upright, what is truth and what is deception; just because of lust, just because of a promise made in a drunken state, just because of the power and honor of a king that blurred his judgment, the king committed the sin of killing God's prophet.

Today, God wants to remind His children not to fall into the traps of the world, which are money, position, power, fame, and lust.

God always loves humans.

He calls everyone to:

- Repent, abandon the path of sin, and return to God.

- Abandon worldly passions and return to glorify God the One who brings life and happiness to mankind.

- Do not make wrong judgments because of worldly honor and power, which displeases God.

- Do not let the constraints of power and status hinder you from carrying out the teachings of God, which are: to live in love, to forgive, to sacrifice, to fast and pray, to give up worldly passions, and to return to make peace with God as He has taught through the prophets of today. Indeed, because of love, God has sent His prophets to remind and warn everyone, including the hierarchy in the Church, the successors of St. Peter, cardinals, bishops, priests, religious men and women, and the entire community of God's people to repent of our sins to God and return to live according to the teachings of God through His prophets in this new era. Do not listen to Satan's temptation to exclude the prophets from the people of God, or turn a blind eye to the Words of God that resound to guide and teach each member of God's people.

These are true words that cut through the thorns and sores, which will be painful. However, the Word will have the power to transform and turn into sweetness for any soul that longs to seek the Truth and Reality that comes from God.

Thanks be to God. Amen.