The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to release our dependence on approval of the crowd and our ego that threaten the integrity we are invited to live as followers of Christ.
The reading from the Book of Leviticus defines the Year of Jubilee.
In Psalm 67, the Nations are called to praise God.
The Gospel of Matthew describes the death of John the Baptist.
* [14:1–12] The murder of the Baptist by Herod Antipas prefigures the death of Jesus (see Mt 17:12). The Marcan source (Mk 6:14–29) is much reduced and in some points changed. In Mark Herod reveres John as a holy man and the desire to kill him is attributed to Herodias (Mk 6:19, 20), whereas here that desire is Herod’s from the beginning (Mt 14:5).
* [14:1] Herod the tetrarch: Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great. When the latter died, his territory was divided among three of his surviving sons, Archelaus who received half of it (Mt 2:23), Herod Antipas who became ruler of Galilee and Perea, and Philip who became ruler of northern Transjordan. Since he received a quarter of his father’s domain, Antipas is accurately designated tetrarch (“ruler of a fourth [part]”), although in Mt 14:9 Matthew repeats the “king” of his Marcan source (Mk 6:26).
* [14:3] Herodias was not the wife of Herod’s half-brother Philip but of another half-brother, Herod Boethus. The union was prohibited by Lv 18:16; 20:21. According to Josephus (Antiquities 18:116–19), Herod imprisoned and then executed John because he feared that the Baptist’s influence over the people might enable him to lead a rebellion. (Matthew, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)
Andy Alexander, S.J. asks does this tragic story draw me to reflect a bit about my tragic flaws? What are the characteristic ways that I tend to be pulled or swayed? How is my ability to do good, to stand up for what is honorable and just, affected by what others think?
Herod was afraid of John and afraid of Jesus. To let this prophet and promised Savior into his heart would simply cost him too much. Discipleship has a cost for each of us. The good news is that all Jesus really desires is to love us, to free us, and to join us more closely to his own mission from the Father to heal and gather and save. Today can be a liberating day, as we let his grace into our hearts, recognize the patterns that block our real discovery of our true happiness. The cost of freedom can be frightening, but, as always, love drives out fear. (Alexander, n.d.)
Don Schwager presents a meditation on “Herod's Reaction to John the Baptist.” He quotes “Integrity is a hardship for the morally corrupt,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).
"John aroused Herod by his moral admonitions, not by any formal accusation. He wanted to correct, not to suppress. Herod, however, preferred to suppress rather than be reconciled. To those who are held captive, the freedom of the one innocent of wrongdoing becomes hateful. Virtue is undesirable to those who are immoral; holiness is abhorrent to those who are impious; chastity is an enemy to those who are impure; integrity is a hardship for those who are corrupt; frugality runs counter to those who are self-indulgent; mercy is intolerable to those who are cruel, as is loving-kindness to those who are pitiless and justice to those who are unjust. The Evangelist indicates this when he says, "John said to him, 'It is not lawful for you to have the wife of your brother Philip.'" This is where John runs into trouble. He who admonishes those who are evil gives offense. He who repudiates wrongdoers runs into trouble. John was saying what was proper of the law, what was proper of justice, what was proper of salvation and what was proper certainly not of hatred but of love. And look at the reward he received from the ungodly for his loving concern!" (excerpt from SERMONS 127.6-7)
[Peter Chrysologus, 400-450 AD, was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century] (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 14:1-12 comments that it is also quite possible the disciples of John looked to Jesus—the man John had identified as “the Son of God” (John 1:34)—for consolation.
We don’t know what Jesus said to these disciples, but there are other times when he did talk about suffering and loss. He promised, “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). He told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). And just before his passion, he said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat” (John 12:24). Surely he offered these disciples similar words of hope and guidance!
There are no easy answers when it comes to suffering. But Jesus is always ready to walk with us and help us through our toughest times.
“Thank you, Lord, for your promise of comfort.” (Meditation on Matthew 14:1-12, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler describes the Sabbatical year and the Jubilee year as outlined in Leviticus when debts were forgiven, land was restored, slaves were freed. Jesus is our year of favour who calls us to live in gratitude and generosity. Friar Jude reminds us of the Gospel message to live as people of integrity avoiding rash promises and oaths.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces nonviolence trainers Veronica Pelicaric (1946–2022) and Nina Koevoets who offer what they call “the four A’s” as guidelines to help us become more aware of our feelings and emotions, so we are better able to respond compassionately rather than react violently. (Rohr, 2023)
Seeking and attending to the prompting of the Spirit in times of fear, anger, confusion, or disappointment is our opportunity to restore integrity and charity to our decisions.
References
Alexander, A. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved August 5, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/080523.html
Matthew, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 5, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/14?1
Meditation on Matthew 14:1-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved August 5, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/08/05/749750/
Rohr, R. (2023, August 5). Healing Our Violence: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Richard Rohr. Retrieved August 5, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/healing-our-violence-weekly-summary-2023-08-05/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture net. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 5, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=aug5
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