Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
The day before my writing this reflection, Pope Francis’ message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations was released (in advance of the April 21st date). His message seems to be for all of us, all Christians no matter our walk of life: “As individuals and as communities, amid the variety of charisms and ministries, all of us are called to embody and communicate the Gospel message of hope in a world marked by epochal challenges.” Faced with global challenges as well as personal ones that “risk plunging us into resignation or defeatism,” we are encouraged to instead, “cultivate a gaze full of hope and work fruitfully in response to the vocation we have received, in service to God’s kingdom of love, justice and peace.” (Catholic News Service, March 19, 2024, usccb.org)
I, for one, can relate at times to the temptation of falling into the “resignation or defeatism” Pope Francis refers to in his message. My life is far from the challenges we hear about in today’s readings, but I wonder if the Prophet Jeremiah or even Jesus were similarly tempted as they began to face the threat of death.
We hear in the first reading that 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.” 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.
So where are we in all of this? Where in my life am I called to trust and surrender? What is my unique call and how am I responding? Am I willing to be honest in prayer about my own inner conflict?
Pope Francis’ message to youth I believe can be for us all, as he encourages, “Let Jesus draw you to himself; bring him your important questions by reading the Gospels; let him challenge you by his presence, which always provokes in us a healthy crisis….all of us are called to rediscover the inestimable blessing of our ability to enter into heartfelt dialogue with the Lord and thus become pilgrims of hope.” May it be so.
—Eileen Miller