Jeremiah 38:4-6.8-10
Psalm 39(40)
Hebrews 12:1-4
Luke 12:49-53
FAITHFUL WITNESSES
Witnessing to the truth and advocating for change are not always welcome, so it is with the proclamation of the Good News. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus makes puzzling statements which, at first glance, appear to contradict his mission and the message of the Gospel. He says that he has come to bring fire on earth. He has a baptism to receive. More paradoxical, he says that he has not come to bring peace on earth, but division even within the family. What Jesus means is that he stands as a sign of contradiction. He has come to testify to the truth; and those who accept him and those who refuse him become irremediably antagonistic. For his message calls for radical choices and conversion. And this is not always welcome by all, just as it was in the days of the prophet Jeremiah.
As God’s spokesperson, Jeremiah never ceased to call the people to conversion, inviting them to abandon their evil ways characterized by social injustices, dishonesty and idolatry. His prophetic message attracted the wrath of some and the sympathy of others. His adversaries persecuted him day and night. In today’s first reading, the nobles of Jerusalem manipulated king Zedekiah to have Jeremiah put into a cistern. But one of his sympathizers, the Ethiopian Ebed-Melech saved him.
Jesus too endured opposition and hostility from the Jewish leaders to the point of receiving the baptism of suffering and death on the cross. Thus, opting for Jesus and becoming his disciple is to expose oneself to similar treatments. In fact, the history of the Church is full of men and women, children, young and old, who have bore witness to their faith, even to the point of martyrdom. These are part of the “great cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us. Hence, the second reading encourages us to persevere in running the race that lies before us while we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Consequently, we must not be afraid to stand for the truth, justice, and respect of human dignity. We may be laughed at, persecuted or rejected by our own people because of our faith and commitment to Christ. But let us not lose faith nor be discouraged. The Lord is our help and deliverer. He will put the hymn of victory into our mouth if we persevere to the end. May he bless and keep all of us. Amen
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