Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s readings are both about prophets- Jeremiah and John the Baptist. These people speak out and proclaim God’s message even when the news is difficult to receive. Are there prophets in today’s world, and how are we listening and responding to their calls for change and renewal?
In the first reading, the Israelites are angry with Jeremiah because he has reminded them that they were no longer trusting in the Lord. Instead of listening with ears of repentance, the leaders call for Jeremiah to be put to death for his harsh words. Jeremiah shows his great trust in God, and willingly places his life into the hands of the people accepting the possibility of his own death. The people eventually realize that Jeremiah is speaking God’s truth, so they relent on their plan of putting him to death.
In the gospel reading, Herod is hosting a celebration and promises the daughter of Herodias anything she wishes as a gift. Through a devious plan, her mother asks for the head of John the Baptist, which Herod is obliged to provide. John has spoken out about Herodias and her marriage to Herod, so this is her opportunity to act in revenge. Throughout his ministry, John has proclaimed that God is calling the people to repent from their evil and deceptive ways. John willingly pursues God’s will realizing that this might lead to his death- and it does. John’s words are difficult for the people to hear, since they illuminate the many ways that people are not living as God desires. Instead of listening, John is placed in prison and is killed because of others inability to accept and turn from their Godless ways.
When searching for prophets in our world today, Pope Francis is the person who I believe bests demonstrates what it means to speak difficult truths. Pope Francis is currently in Canada meeting with the Indigenous Peoples of Canada to share his deep sorrow and apology for the many injustices, abuses and sins that were committed by members of the Catholic Church. Over many decades, Indigenous children were taken from their homes and placed in residential schools. In these schools, they were denied the value of their culture, language, and heritage and forced to assimilate into a belief system that placed upon them. There also are records showing that sexual, emotional and physical abuse was present in these schools. Mass graves have been unearthed showing children who died and never returned to their families.
Pope Francis has compassionately listened to the stories of these people, and in great humility has accepted the responsibility that the church and its people have for the actions that caused great harm over many generations. “What our Christian faith tells us is that this was a disastrous error, incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is painful to think of how the firm soil of values, language and culture that made up the authentic identity of your peoples was eroded, and that you have continued to pay the price of this. In the face of this deplorable evil, the Church kneels before God and implores his forgiveness for the sins of her children. I myself wish to reaffirm this, with shame and unambiguously. I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous Peoples”
Pope Francis speaks words that call us to examine what it means to be followers of Christ. Francis reminds us that we must meet others with humility, love and acceptance. We also must recognize ways that we have not lived as disciples, and how we must be willing to offer our apologies and agree to work together to rebuild and heal from the injuries we have caused. This is not easy, and many people may not want to hear or accept responsibility for the past. But we are the Body of Christ- past, present and future. We must continue to rely on God’s grace and allow the Spirit to move us forward. Pope Francis says this well: “We want to walk together, to pray together and to work together, so that the sufferings of the past can lead to a future of justice, healing and reconciliation.”
Loving God, Jesus shows us how we are called to live in love, mercy and peace. Pour Your Spirit upon us, so we can be true disciples of Christ. Give us ears to ears to hear and hearts that respond in love and humility as we listen to Your truths spoken from prophets around us. We pray this in Christ’s name. AMEN
Marylynn Herchline