"Normal Versus Perfect"

Sunday Mass Readings

Scripture and tradition hold those people in high regard who remain steadfast to the divine law even if they were in disobedience to civil authority. In today’s first reading, we hear the persecution of Jeremiah at the hands of King Zedekiah. Jeremiah’s prophecies were directed against the wealthy and ruling elite of the Kingdom of Judah. Corruption, exploitation of the poor, infidelity to the Covenant was rampant at this time. Jeremiah foretold the future destruction of and subjugation of Judah at the hands of the Babylonians. For this he was accused of treason. The point for us today, though, is that, even when Jeremiah was thrown into the pit, even while he was being sucked into the quicksand, he stood by the prophecy God has commanded him to proclaim. Such fidelity is extolled in the Scriptures. We already know of the opposition that Jesus himself faced from the religious authorities of his time. In fact, scripture scholars say that Jeremiah prefigures Jesus in his suffering as the messenger of God. Finally, Jesus was put to death for his uncompromising stand on the universality of God’s unconditional love. Jesus warned his followers about the consequences of standing by his teaching. And just as he had predicted scores of his followers have been killed for their beliefs.

persecution continues in today’s world. Dayton Daily news just last week reported the sentencing of the criminal associated with the murder of Sr. Dorothy Stang who struggled for the poor and justice. Over the last five years, a number of priests and nuns working as missionaries for the poor have been killed in India. Missionaries continue to be suppressed in China. In our country, we are fortunate to be free of religious persecution but people who take their Christian faith seriously are often ridiculed.

On the one hand, we must offer fervent intercession on behalf of the missionaries and persecuted Christians. On the other hand, we must stand firm in our Christians convictions against all the4 consequences of holding fast to them.