Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 08-02-14, OM, St. Eusebius, Bishop, St. Peter Julian Eymard

August 2, 2014

Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

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.

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

R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
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.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer 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.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
“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.”
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Gospel 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.

Regnum Christi

Heeding or Silencing the Conscience

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

August 2, 2014. Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

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.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe you are looking for me. You stand ready to come to me in this moment of prayer. You want to help me see your love and where I can grow to be more like you. Thank you for your patience and goodness with me. I want to give myself totally to you.

Petition: Lord, help me to hear your voice more clearly today.

1. A Disturbing Voice: John the Baptist had been sent to prepare the way for Christ. He was a witness to the holiness of God. He tried to awaken the sense of sin and the need for repentance. He spoke clearly and was afraid of no one. Sometimes the voice of God in my conscience can be bothersome, like John’s voice was to Herod. Yet a clear reminder of what is right and wrong is an act of mercy from God. He is giving us a chance to awaken from our lethargy and realize that our immortal souls are at stake. I should thank God when my conscience reminds me of things I need to change in my life.

2. What’s Wrong With a Little Entertainment? There is nothing wrong with having celebrations in our life and moments of joy and relaxation. A Christian’s life is rich in moments of happiness. But, as was the case in Herod’s birthday party, there exists the danger of looking for entertainment and relaxation in activities or pastimes which can simply manipulate our passions, weaken our morals, and deeply offend God. If we are unable to choose our entertainment wisely we can end up throwing away the richness of our spiritual inheritance for cheap thrills. Herod ends up as a murderer rather than a good king. His unchecked passions of sensuality and human respect make him use his power to destroy rather than protect. I must remember that even in the moments of relaxation I have the responsibility to protect and foster my Christian identity. I should look for healthy pastimes where I can share the joy of Christian living with my friends and family.

3. The Proverbial Second Chance: When Herod hears of Jesus, his conscience pricks him. He knew he had killed a man of God. Somewhere in his heart he knew that God would have the last word. The presence of Christ is an additional grace that the Father offers Herod so that he may be converted. Unfortunately it is a grace that Herod will not take advantage of, just as he did not take advantage of the presence of John the Baptist. In my own life, how many times does the Father have to remind me of my call to holiness? Do I realize how much mercy the Lord has already shown me? What is it that I am still withholding from him? Today I will seek a deep conversion of heart in that area where I know I have still been withholding myself from God.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for enlightening my conscience with your Gospel. Help me to see where I have become deaf or insensitive to the call of your teachings. I want your grace to triumph in my life. Help me to be brave to change what offends you and to live a life of Christian authenticity.

Resolution: I will receive the sacrament of reconciliation today and also invite someone else to receive it.

Homily of the Day

August 2, 2014

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?

One Bread, One Body

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<< Saturday, August 2, 2014 >>

St. Eusebius of Vercelli
St. Peter Julian Eymard

Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24
View Readings

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

Matthew 14:1-12
Similar Reflections

SIN-SICK?

"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." —Jeremiah 26:13

When Herod heard of Jesus, he didn't think of Jesus. Instead, Herod thought of John the Baptizer (Mt 14:2). Herod may have been eaten up with guilt for beheading John. This hell of guilt was due to murder, which was due to pride and lust (see Mt 14:3ff). Herod's lust was bred in unforgiveness or some other root sin.

When we sin, we "get on a roll" of slavery, self-deception, self-hatred, spiritual blindness, spiritual anorexia, and spiritual paralysis. Ultimately, "the wages of sin is death" (Rm 6:23). If we board the train of sin, we will do things that we consider "sick," perverted, and perverting. We will be taken to places we've never wanted to go. Ultimately, we can go to hell.

Therefore, love God and hate sin (see Sir 17:21). Resist temptations to sin — even to the point of shedding your blood (Heb 12:4). If you have sinned, repent immediately. Go to Confession. Consider this sacrament a great gift to be received at least monthly. Be a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18): love sinners; hate sin; convict others of sin (see Jn 16:8); call them to repentance. Above all, thank Jesus always and forever for being the slain Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29).

Prayer: Jesus, I accept You as the Offering for my sins and for the sins of the whole world (1 Jn 2:2).

Promise: "It was the Lord Who sent me to prophesy." —Jer 26:12

Praise: Even in the sufferings of being exiled for his faith, St. Eusebius rejoiced in the Lord and encouraged his fellow believers, writing: "Dearly beloved, I rejoice in your faith, in the salvation that comes from faith, in your good works."

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