Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Monday of this week (April 4) was the anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.. In the words of Robert Ellsberg, author of All Saints and Blessed Among Us, King was “a prophet in the truest biblical sense, who proclaimed to his generation the justice and mercy of God, remaining true to his mission even to the laying down of his life.” King, himself, preached, “The cross is something that you bear and ultimately that you die on.” He knew his life was on the line as he continued to nonviolently stand up for justice and truth, leading others to do the same even in the face of hatred and violence. It was not without struggle. Dare I say, similarly, while not without struggle, today’s readings remind us that risk of death did not stop Jeremiah or Jesus either.
In today’s first reading, we hear how the prophet Jeremiah struggled knowing his life was on the line. Today’s passage (20:10-13) comes from his prayer that scripture scholars have titled, “Jeremiah’s Interior Crisis.” The passage leading up to today’s gives us further insight into his conflict, “The word of the Lord has brought me derision and reproach all the day. I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.” (vs 8-9) He is tempted to turn his back on his call to prophesy against those in power, but he cannot.
And we are reminded in today’s gospel reading (John 10:31-42) that Jesus’ words and life were threatening to the religious leaders of his time. In today’s passage he evades their intentions to stone him, but as we approach Holy Week we are very aware of his agony in the garden and eventual crucifixion. Not without inner turmoil, but with complete surrender and trust.
We might ask, where are we in all of this? Where in my life am I being called to stand up for justice and speak the truth even when it may mean losing my very life (or at least the life I currently know, wish to have, or am comfortable with)? What is my unique call and how am I responding? Am I willing to be honest with God about my own inner conflicts and turmoil?
We are not alone. Let us pray today for the same courage and strength given to the prophets of old, like Jeremiah, and modern day prophets, like Martin Luther King, Jr., to answer the call of discipleship no matter the cost. For our faith tells us that the cross is not the end; it is only the beginning.
~Eileen Miller