Jeremiah 20:10-13/ Psalm 69/ Romans 5:12-15/ Matthew 10:26-33
Theme: The Seduction of God
There is no one called by God who is free from challenges or persecution. In most cases, the one called is tempted to think that once God calls, the one called must of necessity be successful by all means. Oftentimes, when this expectation is not met, the one called expresses feelings of disappointment and despair. The readings of today call us to embrace courage in the face of persecution. The path to favour and progress is always fraught with challenges. The one called must always remember the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta that: “God did not call us to be successful but faithful”.
In order to better appreciate and understand the first reading, I suggest we look at it within the wider context of Jeremiah 20:7-18. Jeremiah accused God in the following words: “You have seduced me and I have allowed myself to be seduced… (v. 7). This takes us back to Jeremiah 1, when God calls Jeremiah and assures him that he (God) will be with him. Jeremiah expresses disappointment at the way his ministry has turned out. These sentiments of despair and feelings of abandonment are further exacerbated in the following opening words of today’s first reading: “Yes, I hear the whisperings of many: “Terror on every side. Denounce, let us denounce him. All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine…” (v. 10). It is interesting to note that the terror and denunciation that the prophet experiences are within his own circles: friends and family. It can be disheartening when the very people we bring the good news to plot evil against us. We find similar sentiments in the story of Joseph and his brothers, Elijah’s encounter with Jezebel and the like. However, Jeremiah in the midst of all these adversities never forgot God’s promises that “… For it is I this day who have made you a fortified city. A pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land: Against Judah’s kings and princess, against its priests and people. They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord” (v. 18-19). The prophet felt the protection of God and the assurance that God is faithful to his promises and that he (God) never abandons his own. He says: “But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph” (v. 11). No matter how evil persists, goodness will always triumph. This is what we call favor. To enjoy God’s favor, we must learn to endure hardships namely to be bearers of light and truth to a world that has lost the sense of sin.
The gospel reading forms part of the section stretching from v. 1-20, in which Jesus warns the apostles of the coming persecutions. The consolation for the apostles is that like Jeremiah, Jesus had experienced and continues to experience persecutions from his own kin. Thus not only does Jesus send the apostles out on mission, he identifies with their sufferings and assures them that in the midst of all these, favor will be their portion: that in spite of storms, they will land safely. Thus, the persecution coming from one’s own kin is reiterated. Jesus admonishes his apostles: “Therefore, do not be afraid of them. Nothing concealed that will not be revealed… What I say to you in the dark, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops…” (v. 26-27). The apostle is the bearer of truth. He must proclaim it at all times even at the peril of his life. Proclamation carries with it the nuance of an official and public responsibility. A responsibility is laid on our shoulders to bear authentic witness to the truth knowing very well that we must pay a price for it. Jesus paid the price of death by bearing witness to the truth. Indeed, we have been bought and redeemed at a price. Our worth lies in the fact that we are bearers of light and truth for “Even all the hairs on your head are counted…” (v. 30). We are not our own. Anyone who denies the truth denies Christ. When we fail to bear witness to Christ, we betray and deny him and the result is captured in the very words of Jesus: “Everyone who acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my heavenly father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father” (V. 33).
Truth is relativized in our world today. Those who stand for objective truth; truth based on values, morals and faith are considered enemies of society. This is what causes the prophet to suffer as part of his calling. One truth that the prophet must learn is that God does not call us to be successful but to be faithful. Often, as prophets or gatekeepers of faith, we are tempted to measure our ministry by how successful we are in communicating God’s message to the people and how the people positively respond. Sometimes, we measure the success of our ministry by the many miracles we have performed and the many people who respond to altar calls. Our job is to be faithful to the kerygma (the proclamation that calls people to repentance). Our job is to faithfully sow the seed and allow the owner of the job to do his work. Perhaps, our frustration will ameliorate when we understand the dynamics of our calling. God allows us to identify with the sufferings of Christ for a purpose: to favor us. Beware of those who love you too much to get in the way of your destiny. Beware of the compassion of men, they can obstruct your destiny.
In conclusion, no human being will willingly embrace suffering especially when he or she is doing something right. Jesus did not hide the suffering that awaits his disciples on account of the gospel from them. Rather he assured them that though human families might turn against them, God is eternally faithful to his children. We pray for the grace to remain faithful to our calling.