First Reading (Jeremiah 1:17-19).
Reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah.
In those days the word of the Lord came to me: “Come, put on your clothes and gird yourself, and stand up and tell them everything I command you to say. Do not be afraid, or I will make you tremble before them. For today I will make you a fortified city, an iron pillar, a bronze wall against the whole world, against the kings of Judah and its princes, against the priests and the people of the land. They will make war against you, but they will not prevail, because I am with you to defend you,” says the Lord.
– The word of the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Gospel (Mark 6:17-29).
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, O Lord.
At that time Herod had John arrested and bound in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Therefore Herodias hated him and wanted to kill him, but she could not. In fact, Herod was afraid of John, because he knew that he was righteous and holy, and so he protected him. He liked to listen to him, even though he was embarrassed when he did. Finally the opportune day arrived. It was Herod’s birthday, and he gave a great banquet for the nobles of the court, the officials, and the important citizens of Galilee. The daughter of Herodias came in and danced, pleasing Herod and his guests. Then the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” And he swore to her, saying, “I will give you whatever you ask, even half my kingdom.” She went out and asked her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she hurried back to the king and said, “I want you to give me now, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist.” The king was very sad, but he could not refuse. He had sworn the oath in front of the guests. Immediately the king sent a soldier to get John’s head. The soldier went out, beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. She gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard about it, they came and took the body and buried it.
— The Word of the Savior.
— Glory to you, O Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, our readings confront us with a reality that we often prefer to avoid: the cost of discipleship, the price of faithfulness to God in a world that often opposes the truth. The words of the prophet Jeremiah and the fate of John the Baptist challenge us to reflect deeply on our own journey of faith and our commitment to the truth.
Let us imagine for a moment the young Jeremiah. He probably dreamed of a quiet life, perhaps as a priest in Anathoth, his hometown. But God had other plans. “Arise,” the Lord says to Jeremiah, “and speak to them everything I command you.” What an intimidating call! God is essentially saying to Jeremiah, “Prepare for battle. It will not be easy, but I will be with you.”
And what battle would that be? Not a fight with swords and shields, but a battle for truth, for justice, for faithfulness to God. Jeremiah is called to confront kings, princes, priests, and the people of the land. He must stand up against an entire culture of corruption and idolatry.
How many of us, upon hearing such a call, would not tremble with fear? How many of us would not look for an excuse, a way out? But God accepts no excuses. Instead, He promises: “They will fight against you, but they will not prevail against you, for I am with you to defend you.”
This promise is key. God does not guarantee that the path will be easy. He does not promise that there will be no opposition or suffering. What He promises is His constant presence, His protection, His strength. “I will make you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of bronze.”
What a powerful image! Jeremiah, this shy and insecure young man, transformed by God’s grace into an impregnable fortress. Not by his own strength, but by the strength of the God who called and sent him.
This promise was not just for Jeremiah. It is for each of us who hears God’s call and chooses to follow it, no matter the cost. In a world that often ridicules faith, that treats truth as relative, that exalts selfishness above sacrificial love, we are called to be “pillars of iron,” steadfast in our faith and our values.
But what happens when the cost of this faithfulness becomes too high? This is where the story of John the Baptist in today’s Gospel hits us with all its dramatic and tragic force.
John, the forerunner of Jesus, the man whom Christ himself called “the greatest among those born of women,” meets his end in a prison cell, victim to the whims of a corrupt king and a vengeful woman.
Why was John in prison? Because he dared to speak the truth. He confronted King Herod about his illicit relationship with Herodias, his brother’s wife. John could have remained silent. He could have ignored the king’s sin for the sake of his own safety and comfort. But he chose fidelity to the truth above his own life.
The scene that unfolds at Herod’s banquet is a shocking portrait of human depravity. A young woman dances to entertain the king’s guests, and her performance pleases Herod so much that he swears a foolish oath: “Ask me for anything you wish, and I will give it to you, even to half my kingdom.”
Influenced by her mother, the young woman asks for the head of John the Baptist. And Herod, trapped by his own pride and the pressure of his guests, gives in to her cruel request.
What a stark contrast we see here! On the one hand, we have John, the man of God, steadfast in his integrity to the end. On the other hand, we have Herod, a powerful ruler but weak in character, a slave to his own passions and what others think of him.
This story confronts us with an uncomfortable question: Who are we more like? Are we like John, willing to stand up for the truth even when it costs us everything? Or are we more like Herod, compromising our values to please others or to avoid discomfort?
The martyrdom of John the Baptist may seem like a defeat at first glance. But seen through the eyes of faith, it is a tremendous victory. John remained faithful to the end. He fulfilled his mission. He prepared the way for the Messiah not only with his words but with his very life.
My dear brothers and sisters, what do these readings mean for us today? Certainly, few of us will be called to literal martyrdom like John the Baptist. But all of us are called to the daily “martyrdom” of dying to ourselves, of putting God’s truth and love above our own comfort and security.
We may be called to stand up for a coworker who is being treated unfairly, even if it puts our own position at risk. We may be challenged to speak out against prejudice or injustice in our community, even if it makes us unpopular. Or we may be called to live our faith visibly and courageously in an environment that is hostile to religion. Whatever our specific challenge, we can be assured that the promise God made to Jeremiah is also for us: “I am with you to defend you.” We do not face these challenges alone. The same God who strengthened Jeremiah, who sustained John the Baptist, is with us. And remember: our strength is not in ourselves, but in Christ. As Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It is God’s grace that transforms us from ordinary people into “fortified cities” and “pillars of iron.” So, my beloved, may we leave here today renewed in our commitment to truth and faithfulness to God. May we have the courage of Jeremiah to face the challenges ahead. May we have the integrity of John the Baptist to stand firm in our faith no matter the cost.
And most of all, may we trust fully in God’s promise to always be with us, strengthening us, protecting us, and using us for His glory and the expansion of His Kingdom.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, today and always. Amen.
