First Reading: Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24

 

The priests and prophets then said to the chief men and all the people, 'This man deserves to die, since he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.'  Jeremiah, however, replied to all the chief men and all the people as follows, 'Yahweh himself sent me to prophesy against this Temple and this city all the things you have heard.  So now amend your behaviour and actions, listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and Yahweh will relent about the disaster that he has decreed for you.  For myself, I am, as you see, in your hands. Do whatever you please or think right with me.  But be sure of this, that if you put me to death, you will be bringing innocent blood on yourselves, on this city and on its inhabitants, since Yahweh has truly sent me to you to say all this for you to hear.'  The chief men and all the people then said to the priests and prophets, 'This man does not deserve to die: he has spoken to us in the name of Yahweh our God.'  But Jeremiah had a protector in Ahikam son of Shaphan, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

 

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

 

Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. 

Answer me, O LORD, for thy steadfast love is good; according to thy abundant mercy, turn to me. 

I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 

This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. 

For the LORD hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds. 

Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves therein. 

 

Gospel: 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.