Greetings on this the Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7; John 10:31-42
Introduction
In our sacred readings today we deal with the problem of unbelief. For the Prophet it can be very painful. For the one who rejects, it reveals two important observations:
- We reject what challenges our desires.
- We are called to account as gods – the authority to judge wisely.
Jeremiah’s Interior Crisis
In our first reading today, Jeremiah is crushed. He has been selected by the Lord to proclaim the good, admonish for the wrong and to bring unity to the people under the circumstance of great distress. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you (Jer 1:5).
It didn’t feel too exclusive and inclusive. “Denounce! let us denounce him!” All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. “Perhaps he can be tricked; then we will prevail and take our revenge on him (Jer 20:10). [Jeremiah laments] Cursed be the day on which I was born! May the day my mother gave me birth never be blessed! Cursed be the one who brought the news to my father, “A child, a son, has been born to you!” filling him with great joy (Jer 20:14-15).
Jeremiah’s Influence after Death
In actual fact, Jeremiah was more appreciated after his death than while alive. Arrest, imprisonment, and public disgrace were his lot. [Later] the exiled community read and meditated on the lessons of the prophet; his influence is evident in Ezekiel, some of the psalms, Is 40–66, and Daniel (NABRE Commentary https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/0).
In a similar way, our gospel account
The [leadership] picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The [leadership] answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God. (Jn 10:31-33)”
The leadership struggled to see Jesus for who he is and what he does as evidence of who he is. Those who did see had a different conclusion.
[Jesus] went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him (Jn 10:40-42).
Reflection
Jeremiah praised the Lord for his love of the people and was at the same time completely aware of the opposition and the lengths people will go to self-justify their actions. Jesus for his part makes similar observations and with a solution.
If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in me and I am in the Father (Jn 10:37-38).
Personal Reflection
Evidence based reasoning is well established before the modern age. You have the right and the obligation to test all spirits, if you will. But it is certain that the leadership could not even find their way with a series of steps.
- We claim God as Father.
- We claim Abraham as Father of Nations.
- We claim Moses as Father of Socho (“Father of Prophets”) x-ref https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/18
If Father, then Son. They correctly surmised that Jesus is alluding to his divine sonship. But since Jesus is a prophet that follows after Moses, his testimony is true.
Jesus fulfills the Moses authenticity test.
So the objection is not really who and what Jesus is and does. The objections is that Jesus is in contradiction to what we are and what we do. Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? (Jn 10:34). This means we are given the divine right to judge but judge wisely.
Jeremiah had an interior crisis because of the difficulty in dealing with people who judge poorly and attack what they do not like. Jeremiah was right, Jesus was right.
If another moves you to slanderous and murderous thoughts (or milder versions of anger), judge carefully. Do you reject what is holy in them too? If like Jeremiah you are simply overwhelmed by the vindictiveness of people in the face of truth, well, have confidence that even after your death the good you do and say will be remembered somehow.
Suck it Up
As an old priest friend used to say when we have Jeremiah moments: “Suck it up, Buttercup”. Have comfort in knowing the Lord will make his will through you fruitful, even if it is after your death. Same-same, Jesus.
Judge
- How do you judge those around you?
- Do you reject the good in them because of their errors?
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041125.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry