About today
Readings
St. Ignatius Loyola
Leviticus 25: 1, 8-17. O God, all the nations praise you! – Ps 66 (67): 2-3, 5, 7-8. Matthew 14: 1-12.
So don’t act unfairly; but fear your God. I am the Lord, your God.
Leviticus is always difficult to read. Still, the passage carries a simple message regarding fair dealings with our neighbors. It’s a timeless message.
In the gospel, Herod’s decision to kill John the Baptist is a classic example of injustice. It is not a sign of cruelty but a sign of weakness to submit to the intrigues of his wife and daughter. Instead of taking a moral stand and defending John’s rights, Herod agrees to kill John for fear that his capricious household might convict him for breaking the oath to his stepdaughter. His actions are in dramatic contrast to the command of Leviticus: “Then do not act unfairly; but fear your God. I the Lord, I am your God. ‘
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