Readings: Jeremiah 11:18-20, Ps. 7:2-3,9-12, John 7:40-52
“I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. And I did not know it was against me that they devised schemes, saying, ‘Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living so that his name will no longer be remembered!’” (Jeremiah 11:19)
- Righteousness is a reproach to the ungodly. Seeing the light in you, they try to win you over to the darkness or make your life challenging. This was Jeremiah’s experience in today’s First reading. It was also Jesus’s situation in today’s Gospel passage, and as Jesus warned us, we cannot follow in his steps unless we are prepared to face such difficult moments. How do we survive trials, difficulties, and attacks from our enemies?
1. Prayerfully Surrender to God; Leave Vengeance to Him: In today’s First Reading, Jeremiah provides a powerful prayer template we must adopt when faced with persecution. He says: “O Lord of hosts, who judge righteously, who test the heart and the mind, let me see thy vengeance upon them, for to thee have I committed my cause.” (Jeremiah 11:20). Refrain from the temptation of hating your persecutors, otherwise, you become like them. Submit everything to God and let Him take vengeance as He deems fit. Do not pray for the death of your enemies. Just surrender them to God.
2. Make Sure Your Hands Are Clean: Today’s Psalm also provides a powerful prayer template for moments of persecution: “O Lord, my God, I take refuge in you… Give judgment for me, O Lord, for I am just and blameless of heart. Put an end to the evil of the wicked! Make the just man stand firm; you test mind and heart, O God of justice!” While the Psalmist’s prayer is similar to Jeremiah’s, it emphasizes the need for a blameless heart. It is one thing to be persecuted for righteousness, but punishment for the skeletons in your closet is different.
3. Develop a Personal Conviction about God: In today’s Gospel passage, the crowds listening to Jesus were divided in their opinions. This is typical of any crowd. This is why we must avoid being swayed by public opinion, lest we become like a palm tree that sways in different directions depending on the wind. We must praise the courageous soldiers who were sent to arrest Jesus, but after listening to Jesus preach, they returned to the Pharisees to say: “No man has ever spoken like this man.”
4. Dare to Stand Out of the Crowd: Going with the flow even when you know that the decisions of your group members are against your conscience is cowardice. Do not be afraid to stand by the truth even if you must stand alone. Nicodemus courageously reminded the chief priests and Pharisees of their law when he saw they were about to pass judgment on Jesus without trial. Nicodemus did not mind being taunted for attempting to speak on Jesus’ behalf.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, increase our courage to stand for what is right and free us from all bitterness, especially when we face persecution for your sake. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saturday of the 4th week of Lent - Liturgical Colour: Violet. Bible Study: Jeremiah 11:18-20, Ps. 7:2-3,9-12, John 7:40-52).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu