Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Today's Mass Readings

Like a good prophet, Jeremiah speaks the message the Lord has told him to speak. He is telling the leaders and general populace they are to amend their ways. They are to give up their old ways and seek to follow the way of goodness lest they suffer persecution and the wrath of God. As usually happens when someone tells us or anyone that they are sinners and must abandon their lives of sin and corruption, that the person deserves exile at best, though death is not out of the question.

Jeremiah says that the people might well put him to death, but they need to remember that he is innocent. He is speaking the word of God. The Lord sent him to tell the people to change their ways, and so it will be God whom they are rejecting and his punishment they will have to accept. 

Today’s Gospel tells us the story of the Baptist imprisoned for speaking out against Herod for his marriage to his brother’s wife. Herod secretly wants to kill him, but coward that he is, he fears the people who consider John a prophet. A convenient opportunity occurs at this birthday party for Herod when his stepdaughter dances so beautifully that he maybe drunkenly promises her whatever she wants. At her mother’s urging, she asks for the head of the Baptist who is imprisoned.

So it is, the innocent suffers death so the guilty might save face. This is an old story that continues to be lived out today. We see it also visible in the death of Jesus, who dies for us guilty and whom we recognize and worship as our Savior and Redeemer. How many wars have been waged and how many innocent people have been killed at the expense of one man’s greed, his pride and inability to admit his own faults? And how has all humanity been saved by the one great gift of love Jesus offered on the cross? 

Reflection by Fr. Martin DeMeulenaere, OSB