Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Readings: Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24; Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34; Matthew 14:1-12
Summary
Regarding the Prophet Jeremiah
- This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city.
- Then the princes and all the people said:… This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.
Two opposing judgments of Jeremiah emerge. After the public dispute, Ahikam, son of Shaphan, intervenes to protect him.
But the hand of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah, so they did not hand him over to the people to be put to death.
Now I could go on to talk about Uriah in the same chapter – a prophet like Jeremiah whose fate was like John the Baptist. But it complicates and lengthens the reflection.
Instead, I am only contrasting Jeremiah to John – and us to the others of the stories.
Regarding John the Baptist
Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison… although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. On account of Herodias… and… the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much… he swore to give her whatever she might ask for (John’s head on a platter). His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.
No one protested of the guests. Nobody else was invited to speak.
The crisis is not simply that bad leaders oppose good people or good leaders opposing bad people. Rather, the entire covenant community is fractured. None of those groups is portrayed as uniformly righteous or uniformly wicked. The division runs through every institution. Even “the people” are divided against themselves. And the court of Herod is an echo chamber of obligation.
Reflection
We are operating in a bubble.
So much so that even Scripture and reflection can be bent into support for whatever opinion we already hold today—even knowing that tomorrow’s opinion may be different.
A bubble is not merely a place where we cannot hear others; it is a place where our own choices begin to sound inevitable.
We are as trapped as King Herod. Trapped by power. Trapped by association. Trapped by desire. Trapped by feigned ignorance.
To which we cry: Lord, in your great love, answer me (Ps 69:14c)!
Personal Reflection
The greatest miracle God seeks today is not to change the world around us, but to soften the heart within us. Once we recognize our need for Him, we are finally able to hear what He has been saying all along. I am not merely diagnosing Herod today. I am asking to be rescued from becoming him.
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.
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.
“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.”
(Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34)
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080126
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry