Jeremiah 20:10-13,Psalm 18:1-3a. 2bc-3.4-5.6,
John 10:31-42 Full Readings
Saint Julie Billiart
God is with us till the end.
As we draw closer to Holy Week, and exactly one week to Good Friday, we continue to see the growing hatred toward Jesus. Just as we saw in yesterday’s reflection, this week's readings point out the most outstanding accusation which was laid upon Jesus, that is, calling himself Son of God, but this accusation, to Jesus, makes no sense, he continued his mission despite the fore knowledge of what would happen to him. To hate Jesus and to desire to stone Him to death is an act of the greatest irrationality. But this is what happened. Little by little, those who were against Jesus grew in boldness until that ultimate day came when He laid down His life for us and willingly embraced His death. He fell into their hands when appointed time had come but God was with him till the end.
The Jews accused him of blasphemy because he claimed to be the Son of God. They understood that rightly to mean that he was a divine Person, equal to God. In their mind, that was blasphemy, and the punishment for it was death. Jesus invited them to look at his actions, the miracles he performed. Who else could do such things if not a divine person? If what he said about himself did not convince them, then his actions should convince them but still they were not impressed. They still wanted to arrest him and have him put to death. They lacked the gift of faith indeed. Every day God’s works abound in the lives of believers. We need faith to be able to see them and recognize them as coming from him.
It is important to note that with all this persecution and rejection, God did not leave Jesus alone just as he did not leave Jeremiah alone (first reading). God is always with us up to the end in all times of persecution, hatred abandonment, calamities and even in joyous and good moments. The psalmist today states it clearly, "in my anguish, I called to the Lord and he had my voice." God is always close to us whenever we call upon his name, what we only need is to know what is the will of God in our lives, what he called us to do in order to serve him and his people and then do the right thing according to his ordinances. With this sure trust in him, he will not give us utterly but he will always shield us in his wings.
In the first Reading, Jeremiah wouldn't do anything other than committing his cause to God that He, who knows and judges the heart of people should fight his battle and take vengeance on his behalf. Most times we think we can fight the battle ourselves and we forget God, and finally end up losing and worst of all, we again blame God for that. We have to know that God always fights for us if we place his trust in him. If God has chosen you, to serve him, say as, wife to someone, a husband, a priest, a sister, a brother, a religious, single life, and you are really true to your vocation, putting God first, then there is no need for you to be afraid of persecution, abandonment, insults, threats, and temptations, for God will fight for you and in fact turn all those challenges to opportunities that will strengthen your relationships with him.
This of course, as we have seen, needs full trust in God, a fore knowledge of knowing that following God and doing his mission has both joyful moments and challenging moments. Being aware of the challenging moments will enable us to grow closer and closer to God. The interesting thing and the fact of the matter is that the closer we grow toward God, the greater the persecution and hatred we will encounter. Again, this may not make sense to us. It’s easy to think that if we are close to God and strive for holiness everyone will love and praise us. But it wasn’t that way for Jesus and it will not be that way for us either.
One key to holiness is that in the midst of persecution, suffering, hardship and sorrow, we stand firm in the truth. It’s always tempting to think that we must be doing something wrong when things do not go our way. It’s easy to be confused by the lies and calumny that the world throws at us when we try to stand for goodness and the truth. One thing God wants of us, in the midst of our own crosses, is to purify our faith and resolve to stand firm in His Word and Truth. Pope saint John Paul II, teaches us that “Do not be afraid!” Face your fears and let God transform you in the midst of them. If you do so, you will discover that your greatest struggles in life actually turn out to be your greatest blessings.
Therefore Brethren, let us put on ourselves armour of faith, show that faith in doing good works as Jesus did, so that seeing our good works, people may give glory to our Father in heaven (Mt 5:15_16). Even if they hate us for these works, we have to remember that they did so to Jesus even up to crucifying him, but he didn't give up, God still remained with him and he completed his mission here on Earth.
We too are called to emulate Jesus, to share in his cross and walk with him in his persecution and suffering and thus becoming the sons and daughters of God in spirit and truth. We will finish our mission until God's appointed time, for he will be with us to fight for us. We shall escape every plot against us as Jesus escaped from the Jews from arresting him until the appointed time had come, and as Jeremiah escaped from those who plotted to finish him. Let's pray that we may be strong and firm in faith in difficult times and may we always unite our crosses with that of Jesus.
Let us pray.
Lord, as we draw near to the commemoration of Your own suffering and death, help me to unite my crosses to Yours. Help me to see in my daily struggle Your presence and strength. Help me to see the purpose you have for me in the midst of these challenges and always give me courage and strength to face them and remain firm in faith. Amen
Be blessed
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