Reading 1 Jeremiah 26:11-16,24
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.
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.
A town just crowned a new king. They were so happy and full of positive expectations. Few months passed and something hitherto strange started happening. Thieves started breaking into people’s homes, steal farm produce and attack people. The village hunters re-strategized and in no distant time, they caught some of the town’s thieves.
After rounds of severe beatings, some of them confessed that they were working for the king and that whatever they stole they gave to him who in turn gave them their token. Upon investigation, it was discovered to be true and some of the stolen items were discovered to be in the king’s custody. He was arrested and deposed before a year that he ascended the throne.
How do you describe this kind of king? A disgrace to royalty? An embarrassment? A shame to the kingly institution?
Good, I can proceed from there.
Some of us bring disgrace to the institutions we represent. How? The readings of today help to explain this better. We have examples of those who brought disgrace to their identities and institutions.
The Priests and Prophets in today’s first reading are a disgrace to the priesthood and the spirit of prophecy. They are men who have lost the fear of God; they are people of “price-able” consciences, people who have compromised their mission. They wanted Jeremiah dead because his word is a reproach to them. The commoners are better than them.
Herod in today’s gospel is a disgrace to the kingly institution – a king is supposed to be wise, moral and prudent. Herod is none of these.
Herodias is a disgrace to womanhood/motherhood- she has no respect for the sanctity of marriage and for human life, she has no fear of God nor respect for God’s ministers, she is the kind of woman that misleads the husband and lead the children to evil.
The daughter of Herodias is a disgrace to youthfulness, a disgrace to “daughter-hood.” She must have imbibed the vile spirit of her mother. She has mastered the art of seductive dancing, she also has no fear of God and her conscience is in mute mode.
The question is, are you a disgrace to the institution you represent?
As a Father, husband, mother, wife, king, chiefs, a Catholic youth, a Catholic Corp member, a leader, priest, Sister, catechist, a politician, a teacher, in a word, as Christian, do you disgrace this identity or you give it honour?
St John Mary Vianney is an example of a man who brought honour to the institution of the priesthood, which he represents.
Today, the Church celebrates the memorial of St John Mary Vianney. Born on 8th May 1786 at Dardily, the kingdom of France. He had serious intellectual challenges preparing for the priesthood but his piety compensated for his ignorance. He was ordained in 1815. In 1818 he became the parish priest (curé) of Ars.
His pastoral and priestly work brought radical spiritual transformation to the community and its surroundings. Before, the people of Ars spent their Sundays in the farm, on the field, drinking at joints, dancing or at the Market. His preaching, lifestyle and prayers renewed the community’s faith. He always spent long hours at confessional (16-18hrs daily). People from within and outside France started coming to him to make confessions, for prayers and counsel.
John Vianney actually loved and sought the contemplative life of a monk. Four times he ran away from Ars but had to return. He is also known as a champion of the poor. He cared so much for the poor and even built orphanage called “la Providence.” He was also known for his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Philomena.
John Vianney died on August 4, 1859. Was later declared patron of the parochial clergy.
May God help us to conduct our lives in holiness, wisdom and kindness to others so that like John Mary Vianney we may bring honour and not shame to the institution we represent.
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Kanmi on Saturday, August 4, 2018.