Matthew 14:1-12

Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24

Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34

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.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I hear the stories of how the innocent are persecuted by the wicked. Your prophet, Jeremiah, suffered because he preached your word. Your servant, John, suffered because he called Herod to repent from sin. Your Son, Jesus, suffered to save us from sin and death. Strengthen me in times of suffering so that I may attain your glory.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Condemnation of Jeremiah: When Jeremiah gave his temple sermon, he said that if the people of Judah continued to disobey the Lord, not live according to the law, and not listen to the words of the prophets, then the temple of the Lord and Jerusalem will be destroyed like the city and sanctuary of Shiloh. The reaction of the people to Jeremiah’s message was not one of repentance, but of condemnation. The people cried out: “This man deserves death.” Jeremiah defended himself saying that the Lord sent him to prophesy against the Temple, the house of the Lord, and the city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah’s message was simple: Reform your ways and your deeds and listen to the voice of the Lord so that the Lord will repent of the evil with which he threatens you. Jeremiah declared his innocence before the people. If the people were to carry out their judgment upon him, then they would be bringing innocent blood upon themselves.

2. Jeremiah and Jesus: The life and story of Jeremiah look forward to the story and the trial of Jesus. Jesus cleansed the Temple of the sellers and preached that the Temple would be destroyed. In response, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and Pharisees sought to put Jesus to death. When Pilate declared himself innocent of Jesus’ blood, all the people answered: “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25). The outcomes of Jeremiah and Jesus were different. When Jeremiah declared his innocence, the people immediately switched their cries and said: “This man does not deserve death.” When Pilate declared the innocence of Jesus, the people, led by the chief priests and elders, cried out: “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Mark 15:13-14; Luke 23:21).

3. Jeremiah and John the Baptist: In today’s Gospel, we can see another contrast between Jeremiah, who was saved from a dungeon pit, and John the Baptist, who was killed by Herod. Both Jeremiah and John preached the truth. Jeremiah revealed the people’s disobedience to them; John revealed Herod’s unlawful union with Herodias. Just as Jeremiah was apprehended, John was also arrested and thrown into prison. Herod did not kill John because many people regarded him as a prophet of the Lord. Herod feared John, knowing that John was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When Herod heard John, he was much perplexed, and yet heard John gladly (Mark 6:20). Just as Pilate didn’t want to hand Jesus over, Herod didn't want to hand John over. Both men, however, gave in to pressure. Pilate feared Rome. Herod felt obliged to fulfill his oaths in the presence of his guests. Jeremiah’s life points to Jesus’ persecution and rejection by the people. The prophet will be thrown into the pit, but he will be rescued from imminent death. John the Baptist, on the other hand, is Jesus’ forerunner not only in life but also in death. John was persecuted for the sake of righteousness, and to him belongs the Kingdom of heaven, inaugurated by Jesus Christ.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you know my trials, sacrifices, and suffering. Help me to face my trials and temptations with courage and your grace. Help me to offer up my sacrifices to the Father through you. Help me to persevere through suffering so that I may attain eternal glory with you, the Father, and the Holy Spirit.

Living the Word of God: What is my attitude toward suffering and persecution? Do I complain to God and ask that suffering be taken away? Do I lament in prayer and reaffirm my trust in the Lord? Do I unite my suffering to that of Jesus?