It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey (St Ignatius de Loyola)

Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24

Psalms 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34

M atthew 14:1-12 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus; (2) and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist, he has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him." (3) For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison, for the sake of Hero'di-as, his brother Philip's wife; (4) because John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." (5) And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. (6) But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Hero'di-as danced before the company, and pleased Herod, (7) so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. (8) Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter." (9) And the king was sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given; (10) he sent and had John beheaded in the prison, (11) and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. (12) And his disciples came and took the body and buried it; and they went and told Jesus.

Meditation by Mary Haynes Kuhlman

T oday, July 31, all over the world, Jesuits and their friends celebrate the feast of St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

Meanwhile, in today’s liturgy, we use the readings for  the 17th Saturday in Ordinary Time.  Today’s Gospel’s narrative about Salome and John the Baptist actually reminds us of  an idea important to St. Ignatius and his brothers in Christ – that we find Jesus in doing whatever real work we are given to do for others in this real world.

Dancing seductively before Herod or presenting the head of John the Baptist to her mother, Salome has appeared in many works of art, from Renaissance paintings to Richard Strauss's opera, Salome.

Strauss's version adds extra vileness to her character; Salome lusts for the Baptist, has failed to seduce him, and gets him beheaded with personal malice. The opera also has Salome's sensational Dance with the Seven Veils. Reading the Gospel today, we see no veils and no prior conversation, yet we see that John has done his job as prophet; he has admonished Herod and pointed out evil -- in particular, the evil in Salome's mother. So Salome does her job as a daughter, and perhaps as an already corrupt woman.  You'd think the girl would be saying "Oh, no, Mom -- that's too gross!" -- but in the Gospel we hear only that she does what her depraved mother wants her to.

Of course the Gospel's focus is Jesus; this narrative of John the Baptist's death gets told because even the perverse Herod identifies Jesus with the Baptist.  In our first reading from the prophet Jeremiah, Jeremiah is almost put to death because he has done his job as prophet:  he has admonished the people and pointed out evil.  These readings remind us that Jesus is Prophet, and that prophets, because they challenge the forces of evil in the world, are at risk.  Jesus, we know, as he does His job, is headed towards His own death -- and our redemption.

My own jobs seem very little compared to the great work of Jeremiah and John the Baptist -- and Jesus -- but the Church teaches that my work can contribute to Jesus's work in this world today.  So why be outdone by Salome?  Let me do my job, whatever it is today, with the same lack of hesitation that pathetic girl shows in the Gospel.

And the Psalm for today reminds me of a job I can do (unlike exotic dancing!) and would like to do without any hesitation: "I will praise the name of God," and "I will glorify him in thanksgiving." Hey, yes, praising and thanking God is exactly the job my own dear mother would want me to do today.

Supplementary Reading

Let Go of Comparison

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" - Ephesians 2:10

A re you comfortable in your own skin? In other words, do you recognize yourself as the treasure God made you; or are you constantly looking for approval and comparing yourself to a neighbor, co-worker or friend? Do you try to out-dress them or out-perform them? Are you always looking for ways to one-up them?

Friend, it's time to let all of that go. Comparison is a distraction. Comparison is a thief. It steals your time, energy, focus and joy. You aren't here to impress anybody; you don't have to prove anything because you are God's special workmanship. He created you with a purpose for a purpose. You are empowered and equipped to do everything He's called you to do.

If you will choose to stay free from a spirit of competition and just run your own race, not only will you enjoy your life more, but you'll see your gifts and talents come out to the full. You'll see His blessing and favor in a greater way, and you'll move forward into the life of victory He has in store!

Heavenly Father, thank You for setting me free from competition. I choose to rest in You knowing that I am Your workmanship. Thank You for directing and ordering my steps. I bless and praise You today.In Jesus' Name. Amen.—Joel & Victoria Osteen

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

For past gospel meditations, you may visit the following:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=216458741502#!/home.php?sk=mynotes

http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com