Gird Your Loins; Stand Up To Them! Prophesy!
Introduction
As a witness to integrity, honesty and absolute truth, John the Baptist lost his life to cunning and violence. But he had to speak, whatever the consequences. God’s word cannot be muzzled. Does the Church – do we – have this courage today? As the attendant themes keep reappearing, I keep repeating Gani’s famous dictum: Stand always by the truth, even if you are standing alone.
1 Reading: Jeremiah 1:17–19
The word of the LORD came to me thus: Gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them; For it is I this day who have made you a fortified city, A pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land: Against Judah’s kings and princes, against its priests and people. They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 71:1–2, 3–4a, 5–6ab, 15ab and 17
R. I will sing your salvation.
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me, and save me.
R. I will sing your salvation.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R. I will sing your salvation.
For you are my hope, O LORD;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother’s womb you are my strength.
R. I will sing your salvation.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. I will sing your salvation.
Gospel Reading: Mark 6:17-29
For this is what had happened. Herod had ordered John to be arrested and had him bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod had married her and John had told him, “It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.” So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not because Herod respected John. He knew John to be an upright and holy man and kept him safe. And he liked listening to him, although he became very disturbed whenever he heard him. Herodias had her chance on Herod’s birthday, when he gave a dinner for all the senior government officials, military chiefs and the leaders of Galilee. On that occasion the daughter of Herodias came in and danced; and she delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you.” And he went so far as to say with many oaths, “I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.” She went out to consult her mother, “What shall I ask for?” The mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried to the king and made her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist, here and now, on a dish.” The king was very displeased, but he would not refuse in front of his guests because of his oaths. So he sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded John in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and buried it.
Commentary
The prophet John is a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass against the whole land. He calls everyone back, standing up to the kings and priests and people. He was warned that they will fight against him–and they did. He was murdered. But God was with him always to deliver him in spite of death. John was faithful, calling the people to a baptism of repentance that led to the forgiveness of sins. Many of the people came to him and turned from their lives of sin and injustice. But it was the religious, economic and political leadership that resisted him. And since he was a prophet he went after the biggest fish in the land, King Herod himself, who had murdered his brother (Philip) so that he could have his wife (she was definitely part of the murder and the marriage). He was imprisoned but Herod is afraid of the people, silently admired John and won’t kill him. But in reality, he was more afraid of his new wife and of looking bad at a dinner party. And so he has John beheaded in a prison on the spur of a moment. And to make the atrocity ruthless, ice-cold brutality, she needed it brought to her in a dish. What a world!
John is the last and greatest prophet of the older testament who depended on God as his rock and prepared the way for Jesus. Do we stand up and tell people all that the Lord commands us? Do we conspire with crooked politicians to sell lies to the faithful from the pulpit?
Blessing: Who can stand on our way and intimidate us? The Lord himself assures and urges us: Gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, for it is I this day who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass. Thank you Lord. May the almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen!