Word to the Wise
Saturday, July 30, 2022 - Saturday in the 17th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jer 26:11-16, 24 and Matt 14:1-12]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."
Jeremiah is facing down a possible lynch mob incited by the temple priests and "official" prophets. He had called them to account for corruption and false prophecy. On this occasion he is saved by the political powers from the "ecclesiastical" powers! It wouldn't be the last time. Later on a mob would throw him into a cistern! [Jer. 38:1-13]
The gospel scripture for today tells the story of the death of John the Baptist at the hand of Herod. John had confronted Herod about Herod's marriage to his sister-in-law, which infuriated her. When her daughter dances at a drunken banquet, Herod swears he will give her whatever she wishes. Of course, she asks her mom and her mom asks for John to be put to death. He was in prison already for his confrontation. So, the daughter asks for the head of John the Baptist! The Strauss opera, Salome, reenacts the scene in gory detail!
The role of a prophet is to hold up a mirror and ask if we are living the way we have promised to live as faithful people. When we are not living that way, the confrontation can be very disturbing. We may smash the mirror and kill the prophet.. This can happen in major or minor ways. Sometimes all that happens is that the prophet is ignored. Other times there is violence, even lethal violence.
The fates of Jeremiah and John the Baptist presage the fate of Jesus. The events of Holy Week show how easily a mob can be incited to cry out: "Crucify him! Crucify him!" We repeat those words ourselves in the service on Good Friday!! When a prophetic figure confronts us with our moral and religious failings, how do we respond? AMEN