Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 406
Lectionary: 406
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.
“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.
Responsorial Psalm PS 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Rescue me out of the mire; may I not sink!
may I be rescued from my foes,
and from the watery depths.
Let not the flood-waters overwhelm me,
nor the abyss swallow me up,
nor the pit close its mouth over me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Rescue me out of the mire; may I not sink!
may I be rescued from my foes,
and from the watery depths.
Let not the flood-waters overwhelm me,
nor the abyss swallow me up,
nor the pit close its mouth over me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
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.
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.
Meditation: Herod's reaction to John the Baptist
Do you ever feel haunted by a past failure or a guilty
conscience? King Herod, the most powerful and wealthy man in Judea, had
everything he wanted, except a clear conscience and peace with God. Herod had
respected and feared John the Baptist as a great prophet and servant of God.
John, however did not fear to rebuke Herod for his adulterous relationship with
his brother's wife. He ended up in prison because of Herodias' jealousy. Herod,
out of impulse and a desire to please his family and friends, had John
beheaded. Now his conscience is pricked when he hears that all the people are
going to Jesus to hear his message of repentance and to see his mighty works.
Herod is now haunted by the thought that the prophet he murdered might now be
raised from the dead!
A sign of vanity and cowardice
Unfortunately for Herod, he could not rid himself of sin by ridding himself of the man who confronted him with his sin. Herod's power and influence was badly flawed. He could take a strong stand on the wrong things when he knew the right. Such a stand, however, was a sign of weakness and cowardice. Where do you get the strength of will and heart to choose what is right and to reject what is bad?
Unfortunately for Herod, he could not rid himself of sin by ridding himself of the man who confronted him with his sin. Herod's power and influence was badly flawed. He could take a strong stand on the wrong things when he knew the right. Such a stand, however, was a sign of weakness and cowardice. Where do you get the strength of will and heart to choose what is right and to reject what is bad?
God is our help and our strength
The Lord Jesus gives grace and help to the humble, to those who acknowledge their weanesses and their sinfulness, and who look to God for his mercy and pardon, wisdom and strength. His grace and pardon not only frees us from a guilty conscience, it enables us to pursue holiness in every area of our lives, in our thoughts and intentions as well as our words and actions.
The Lord Jesus gives grace and help to the humble, to those who acknowledge their weanesses and their sinfulness, and who look to God for his mercy and pardon, wisdom and strength. His grace and pardon not only frees us from a guilty conscience, it enables us to pursue holiness in every area of our lives, in our thoughts and intentions as well as our words and actions.
 Heeding or Silencing the Conscience |
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August 2, 2014. Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary
Time
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Matthew 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.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe you are looking for me. You stand ready to
come to me in this moment of prayer. You want to help me see your love and
where I can grow to be more like you. Thank you for your patience and
goodness with me. I want to give myself totally to you.
Petition: Lord, help me to hear your voice more clearly today.
1. A Disturbing Voice: John the Baptist had been sent to
prepare the way for Christ. He was a witness to the holiness of God. He tried
to awaken the sense of sin and the need for repentance. He spoke clearly and
was afraid of no one. Sometimes the voice of God in my conscience can be
bothersome, like John’s voice was to Herod. Yet a clear reminder of what is
right and wrong is an act of mercy from God. He is giving us a chance to
awaken from our lethargy and realize that our immortal souls are at stake. I
should thank God when my conscience reminds me of things I need to change in
my life.
2. What’s Wrong With a Little Entertainment? There is nothing
wrong with having celebrations in our life and moments of joy and relaxation.
A Christian’s life is rich in moments of happiness. But, as was the case in
Herod’s birthday party, there exists the danger of looking for entertainment
and relaxation in activities or pastimes which can simply manipulate our
passions, weaken our morals, and deeply offend God. If we are unable to
choose our entertainment wisely we can end up throwing away the richness of
our spiritual inheritance for cheap thrills. Herod ends up as a murderer
rather than a good king. His unchecked passions of sensuality and human
respect make him use his power to destroy rather than protect. I must
remember that even in the moments of relaxation I have the responsibility to
protect and foster my Christian identity. I should look for healthy pastimes
where I can share the joy of Christian living with my friends and family.
3. The Proverbial Second Chance: When Herod hears of
Jesus, his conscience pricks him. He knew he had killed a man of God.
Somewhere in his heart he knew that God would have the last word. The
presence of Christ is an additional grace that the Father offers Herod so
that he may be converted. Unfortunately it is a grace that Herod will not
take advantage of, just as he did not take advantage of the presence of John
the Baptist. In my own life, how many times does the Father have to remind me
of my call to holiness? Do I realize how much mercy the Lord has already
shown me? What is it that I am still withholding from him? Today I will seek
a deep conversion of heart in that area where I know I have still been
withholding myself from God.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for enlightening my
conscience with your Gospel. Help me to see where I have become deaf or
insensitive to the call of your teachings. I want your grace to triumph in my
life. Help me to be brave to change what offends you and to live a life of
Christian authenticity.
Resolution: I will receive the sacrament of reconciliation today and
also invite someone else to receive it.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, MATTHEW 14:1-12
(Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24, Psalm 69)
(Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24, Psalm 69)
KEY VERSE: "This man is John the Baptist. He
has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in
him" (v 2).
READING: As Jesus' reputation spread, Herod
Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard of the marvelous deeds that Jesus had
performed. Herod feared that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead.
The king had imprisoned the prophet because of his courageous stance against
the ruler's illicit marriage (Lv 18:16, 20:21). Herod wanted to kill the
popular prophet, but he was afraid that his death would cause the people to
revolt. At Herod's birthday party, he promised his step-daughter that he would
grant her any request if she would dance for his guests. Prompted by her mother
Herodias, the girl asked for John's head as her reward. Like the prophets
before him, John was murdered for proclaiming the truth of God.
REFLECTING: What are the important issues for which I need to take a stand?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to speak out against the injustices that I see.
REFLECTING: What are the important issues for which I need to take a stand?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to speak out against the injustices that I see.
Optional Memorial of Eusebius of Vercelli,
bishop
Eusebius was made lector in Rome, where he lived some time, probably as a member or head of a religious community. Later he came to Vercelli, and in 340 was unanimously elected bishop of that city by the clergy and the people. He received episcopal consecration at the hands of Pope Julius I on 15 December, of the same year. According to the testimony of St. Ambrose he was the first bishop of the West who united monastic with clerical life. He led a common life with the clergy of his city modeled upon that of the Eastern cenobites. For this reason the Canons Regular of St. Augustine honor him along with St. Augustine as their founder.
Optional Memorial of Peter Julian Eymard,
priest
Peter Julian Eymard had a strong Marian devotion. He organized lay societies under the direction of the Marists, preached and taught, and worked for Eucharistic devotion. He founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in 1856, and the lay Servants of the Blessed Sacrament in 1858 and a sister congregation for women. Although Peter's work encountered a series of setbacks, his vision of priests, deacons, sisters, and lay people dedicated to spiritual values anticipated many of the renewals brought about by Vatican Councils I and II.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Become Like Jesus
We become more like Jesus, not just by imitating what He ate, but
by eating His very Flesh and Blood in the Eucharist.
Lord, in your great love, answer me
‘Miraculous powers are at work in him.’John the Baptist’s life must have made a deep impression on Herod. When he heard the reports about Jesus he was sure it was John, whom he had executed, come back to life. People must have wondered about John’s life. With such signs as an angelic messenger, a miraculous conception and his father’s prophetic prayer, they must have expected great things of him. Maybe they thought ‘what a waste’ when John, fully grown, went off to live as a hermit. In the desert he discovered that he was the one who was to pave the way for the Messiah. He forfeited his whole life for this one purpose. Like John, each of us is created for a unique purpose. God will show us our mission if we ask him. Lord, give me the grace to hear your call and answer you.
August
2
St. Eusebius of Vercelli
(283?-371)
St. Eusebius of Vercelli
(283?-371)
Someone has said that if there had been no Arian heresy denying
Christ's divinity, it would be very difficult to write the lives of many early
saints. Eusebius is another of the defenders of the Church during one of its
most trying periods.
Born on
the isle of Sardinia, he became a member of the Roman clergy and is the first
recorded bishop of Vercelli in Piedmont in northwest Italy. He is also the
first to link the monastic life with that of the clergy, establishing a
community of his diocesan clergy on the principle that the best way to sanctify
his people was to have them see a clergy formed in solid virtue and living in
community.
He was
sent by Pope Liberius to persuade the emperor to call a council to settle
Catholic-Arian troubles. When it was called at Milan, Eusebius went
reluctantly, sensing that the Arian block would have its way, although the
Catholics were more numerous. He refused to go along with the condemnation of
St. Athanasius; instead, he laid the Nicene Creed on the table and insisted that
all sign it before taking up any other matter. The emperor put pressure on him,
but Eusebius insisted on Athanasius’ innocence and reminded the emperor that
secular force should not be used to influence Church decisions. At first the
emperor threatened to kill him, but later sent him into exile in Palestine.
There the Arians dragged him through the streets and shut him up in a little
room, releasing him only after his four-day hunger strike. They resumed their
harassment shortly after.
His exile
continued in Asia Minor and Egypt, until the new emperor permitted him to be
welcomed back to his see in Vercelli. He attended the Council of Alexandria
with Athanasius and approved the leniency shown to bishops who had wavered. He
also worked with St. Hilary of Poitiers against the Arians.
He died
peacefully in his own diocese at an advanced age.
Comment:
Catholics in the U.S. have sometimes felt penalized by an unwarranted interpretation of the principle of separation of Church and state, especially in the matter of Catholic schools. Be that as it may, the Church is happily free today from the tremendous pressure put on it after it became an “established” Church under Constantine. We are happily rid of such things as a pope asking an emperor to call a Church council, Pope John I being sent by the emperor to negotiate in the East, the pressure of kings on papal elections. The Church cannot be a prophet if it’s in someone’s pocket.
Catholics in the U.S. have sometimes felt penalized by an unwarranted interpretation of the principle of separation of Church and state, especially in the matter of Catholic schools. Be that as it may, the Church is happily free today from the tremendous pressure put on it after it became an “established” Church under Constantine. We are happily rid of such things as a pope asking an emperor to call a Church council, Pope John I being sent by the emperor to negotiate in the East, the pressure of kings on papal elections. The Church cannot be a prophet if it’s in someone’s pocket.
Quote:
"To render the care of souls more efficacious, community life for priests is strongly recommended, especially for those attached to the same parish. While this way of living encourages apostolic action, it also affords an example of charity and unity to the faithful" (Vatican II, Decree on the Bishops' Pastoral Office, 30).
"To render the care of souls more efficacious, community life for priests is strongly recommended, especially for those attached to the same parish. While this way of living encourages apostolic action, it also affords an example of charity and unity to the faithful" (Vatican II, Decree on the Bishops' Pastoral Office, 30).
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 14,1-12
Lectio:
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God our Father and protector,
without you nothing is holy,
nothing has value.
Guide us to everlasting life
by helping us to use wisely
the blessings you have given to the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
without you nothing is holy,
nothing has value.
Guide us to everlasting life
by helping us to use wisely
the blessings you have given to the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 14,1-12
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the reputation of
Jesus and said to his court, 'This is John the Baptist himself; he has risen
from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.' Now it
was Herod who had arrested John, chained him up and put him in prison because
of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John had told him, 'It is against
the Law for you to have her.' He had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the
people, who regarded John as a prophet. Then, during the celebrations for
Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and so
delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked.
Prompted by her mother she said, 'Give me John the Baptist's head, here, on a
dish.' The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of
his guests, he ordered it to be given her, and sent and had John beheaded in
the prison. The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl, who took
it to her mother.
John's disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.
John's disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.
3) Reflection
•Today’s Gospel describes the way in which John the Baptist was
the victim of corruption and of the arrogance of the government of Herod. He
was killed without a process, during a banquet of the king with the great of
the kingdom. The text gives us much information on the time in which Jesus
lived and on the manner in which power was used by the powerful of that time.
• Matthew 14,1-2. Who is Jesus for Herod. The text begins by informing about the opinion which Herod had of Jesus: "This is John the Baptist himself, he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him”. Herod tries to understand Jesus starting from the fear which assailed him after murdering John. Herod was very superstitious and hid his fear behind the ostentation of his riches and of his power.
• Matthew 14, 3-5: The hidden cause of the murdering of John. Galilee, the land of Jesus, was governed by Herod Antipas, the son of King Herod, the Great, from the year 4 BC until the year 38 AD, after Christ. Forty-three years in all! During the time of the life of Jesus, there were no changes of government in Galilee! Herod was the absolute Lord of everything, he did not render an account to anyone, he did whatever passed through his mind. Arrogance, lack of ethics, absolute power, without control from the people! But the one, who commanded in Palestine since the year 63 before Christ, was the Roman Empire. Herod, in Galilee, so as not to be dismissed, tried to please Rome in everything. Above all, he insisted on an efficient administration which would bring riches to the Empire. His concern was his own promotion and his security. For this reason, he refrained from any type of subversion. Matthew says that the reason for murdering John was because he had denounced Herod, because he had married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Flavio Joseph, a Jewish writer of that time, says that the true reason for the imprisonment of John the Baptist was the fear of Herod that there would be a popular revolt. Herod like to be called the benefactor of the people, but in reality he was a tyrant (Lk 22, 25). The denunciation of John against Herod was the drop that caused the glass to overflow: “It is against the Law for you to have her”. And John was put in prison.
• Matthew 14, 6-12: The plot of the murderer. An anniversary and a festive banquet, with dances and orgy! Mark says that in the feast were “the great of the court, the officials and the important people of Galilee” (Mk 6, 21). This is the environment in which the murdering of John the Baptist is planned. John, the prophet, was a living denunciation of that corrupt system. This is why, he was eliminated with the pretext of a problem of personal revenge. All this reveals the moral weakness of Herod. So much power accumulated in the hands of one man incapable to control himself! In the enthusiasm of the feast and of the wine, Herod makes a promise by oath to Salome, the young dancer, daughter of Herodias. Superstitious as he was, he thought that he had to maintain this oath, and respond to the caprice of the girl; and because of this he ordered the soldier to bring the head of John on a tray and give it to the dancer, who then gave it to her mother. For Herod, the life of his subjects was worthless. He disposes of them as he disposes of the staircases in his house!
The three characteristics of the government of Herod: the new Capital, large estates, and the class of functionaries:
a) The New Capital. Tiberiade was inaugurated when Jesus was only 20 years old. It was called like that in order to please Tiberius, the emperor of Rome. It was inhabited by the lords of the earth, the soldiers, the policemen, the unscrupulous judges (Lk 18, 1-4). The taxes and the products of the people were channelled toward it. It was there that Herod made his orgy of death (Mk 6, 21-29). Tiberiades was the city of the palaces of the King, where those who wore soft, delicate dresses lived (cf. Mt 11, 8). It is not known by the Gospels that Jesus entered this city.
b) The large estates. Scholars say that during the long government of Herod, the large estates grew causing harm to community property. The Book of Henoch denounces the lords of the land and expresses the hope of the little ones: “And then the powerful and the great will no longer be the lords of the land”. (Hen 38,4). The ideal of ancient times was the following: “Each one will peacefully sit under his vine and nobody will frighten them” (1 Mac 14,12; Mi 4,4; Zc 3,10). But the politics of the government of Herod made this ideal impossible.
c) The class of functionaries. Herod created a whole class of functionaries faithful to the project of the King: the Scribes, the merchants, the lords of the land, the officers of the market, the tax collectors, the militia, the policemen, the judges, the local heads,. In every village there was a group of persons which supported the government. In the Gospels, some Pharisees appear together with the Herodians (Mk 3, 6; 8, 15; 12, 13), and that shows the alliance between the religious power and the civil power. The life of the people in the villages was very controlled, both by the government and by the religion. Much courage was necessary to begin anything new, as John and Jesus did! It was the same thing as attracting to self the anger of the privileged ones, both from the religious and the civil powers.
• Matthew 14,1-2. Who is Jesus for Herod. The text begins by informing about the opinion which Herod had of Jesus: "This is John the Baptist himself, he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him”. Herod tries to understand Jesus starting from the fear which assailed him after murdering John. Herod was very superstitious and hid his fear behind the ostentation of his riches and of his power.
• Matthew 14, 3-5: The hidden cause of the murdering of John. Galilee, the land of Jesus, was governed by Herod Antipas, the son of King Herod, the Great, from the year 4 BC until the year 38 AD, after Christ. Forty-three years in all! During the time of the life of Jesus, there were no changes of government in Galilee! Herod was the absolute Lord of everything, he did not render an account to anyone, he did whatever passed through his mind. Arrogance, lack of ethics, absolute power, without control from the people! But the one, who commanded in Palestine since the year 63 before Christ, was the Roman Empire. Herod, in Galilee, so as not to be dismissed, tried to please Rome in everything. Above all, he insisted on an efficient administration which would bring riches to the Empire. His concern was his own promotion and his security. For this reason, he refrained from any type of subversion. Matthew says that the reason for murdering John was because he had denounced Herod, because he had married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Flavio Joseph, a Jewish writer of that time, says that the true reason for the imprisonment of John the Baptist was the fear of Herod that there would be a popular revolt. Herod like to be called the benefactor of the people, but in reality he was a tyrant (Lk 22, 25). The denunciation of John against Herod was the drop that caused the glass to overflow: “It is against the Law for you to have her”. And John was put in prison.
• Matthew 14, 6-12: The plot of the murderer. An anniversary and a festive banquet, with dances and orgy! Mark says that in the feast were “the great of the court, the officials and the important people of Galilee” (Mk 6, 21). This is the environment in which the murdering of John the Baptist is planned. John, the prophet, was a living denunciation of that corrupt system. This is why, he was eliminated with the pretext of a problem of personal revenge. All this reveals the moral weakness of Herod. So much power accumulated in the hands of one man incapable to control himself! In the enthusiasm of the feast and of the wine, Herod makes a promise by oath to Salome, the young dancer, daughter of Herodias. Superstitious as he was, he thought that he had to maintain this oath, and respond to the caprice of the girl; and because of this he ordered the soldier to bring the head of John on a tray and give it to the dancer, who then gave it to her mother. For Herod, the life of his subjects was worthless. He disposes of them as he disposes of the staircases in his house!
The three characteristics of the government of Herod: the new Capital, large estates, and the class of functionaries:
a) The New Capital. Tiberiade was inaugurated when Jesus was only 20 years old. It was called like that in order to please Tiberius, the emperor of Rome. It was inhabited by the lords of the earth, the soldiers, the policemen, the unscrupulous judges (Lk 18, 1-4). The taxes and the products of the people were channelled toward it. It was there that Herod made his orgy of death (Mk 6, 21-29). Tiberiades was the city of the palaces of the King, where those who wore soft, delicate dresses lived (cf. Mt 11, 8). It is not known by the Gospels that Jesus entered this city.
b) The large estates. Scholars say that during the long government of Herod, the large estates grew causing harm to community property. The Book of Henoch denounces the lords of the land and expresses the hope of the little ones: “And then the powerful and the great will no longer be the lords of the land”. (Hen 38,4). The ideal of ancient times was the following: “Each one will peacefully sit under his vine and nobody will frighten them” (1 Mac 14,12; Mi 4,4; Zc 3,10). But the politics of the government of Herod made this ideal impossible.
c) The class of functionaries. Herod created a whole class of functionaries faithful to the project of the King: the Scribes, the merchants, the lords of the land, the officers of the market, the tax collectors, the militia, the policemen, the judges, the local heads,. In every village there was a group of persons which supported the government. In the Gospels, some Pharisees appear together with the Herodians (Mk 3, 6; 8, 15; 12, 13), and that shows the alliance between the religious power and the civil power. The life of the people in the villages was very controlled, both by the government and by the religion. Much courage was necessary to begin anything new, as John and Jesus did! It was the same thing as attracting to self the anger of the privileged ones, both from the religious and the civil powers.
4) Personal questions
• Do you know any persons who died victims of corruption and
domination of the powerful? And here among us, in our community and in the
Church, are there victims of authoritarianism and of the abuse of power?
• Herod, the powerful, who thought he was the lord of life and death of people, was a coward before the great and a corrupt flatterer before the girl who danced. Cowardice and corruption marked the exercise of the power of Herod. Compare all this with the exercise of religious power and civil orgy, in the different levels of society and of the Church.
• Herod, the powerful, who thought he was the lord of life and death of people, was a coward before the great and a corrupt flatterer before the girl who danced. Cowardice and corruption marked the exercise of the power of Herod. Compare all this with the exercise of religious power and civil orgy, in the different levels of society and of the Church.
5) Concluding Prayer
The humble have seen and are glad.
Let your courage revive, you who seek God.
For God listens to the poor,
he has never scorned his captive people. (Ps 69,32-33)
Let your courage revive, you who seek God.
For God listens to the poor,
he has never scorned his captive people. (Ps 69,32-33)
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