So many people over the centuries have been prepared to give their lives in witnessing to God. Their faithfulness can inspire and encourage us today. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass.
Readings for Saturday of week 17 of ordinary time can be found here (memorial of St Alphonsus Mary de’ Ligouri).
Pope John Paul II once said that the 20th century saw more Christian martyrs than the previous 19 centuries combined. Some debate the accuracy of this claim, depending on how a martyr is defined. However, there’s no doubt that over the past 100 years many have been willing to die for the faith. Think of St Maximilian Kolbe in the 1940s, St Oscar Romero in the 80s, or Fr Jacques Hamel, murdered while saying Mass in 2016.
In our readings today we see two figures willing to pay the ultimate price for serving God. Jeremiah has previously said that the Jerusalem Temple will be destroyed because of the people’s rejection of God. In today’s first reading the religious leaders say that he deserves death for this message. Jeremiah accepts his fate, saying “I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you.” The people intervene however and Jeremiah survived.
Not so fortunate was John the Baptist who we read about in the Gospel. Herod has him beheaded at the behest of his mistress and her daughter because John condemned the king for his immorality. We may not face such severe consequences for proclaiming the faith as Jeremiah, John, or the whole company of martyrs. However, may their actions example inspire us to be bold as we seek to witness to God’s truth today.
Mass today is in St Mary’s at 11.30am (preceded by morning prayer at 10.50am and Rosary at 11).
If you’d like more resources for daily prayer, check out our Day By Day pages.
South Cardiff Ministry Area 