My high school economics teacher had a saying…there’s no free lunch. We see that born out in today’s readings. In the first reading, Jeremiah says that he feels “duped by God.” He didn’t want to be a prophet, and he doesn’t like the way the people treat him due to his message. Yet he finds it impossible to be silent; he must share God’s message. In the second reading, St. Paul urges his readers to be transformed in mind in order to discern the will of God…no small task. In the Gospel reading, Jesus describes what will happen to Him in Jerusalem and explains to His disciples (which includes us) what will be expected of them. The first disciples certainly experienced this firsthand, and things haven’t changed much over two thousand years. Christians have been ridiculed, persecuted, and murdered for their faith, and it still happens in parts of our world today. We are fortunate to live in a country where it isn’t an everyday occurrence, but I’m sure we can all remember cases in recent years. And if we stop and think about it, I’ll bet that most of us can recall times when we have been persecuted in some way for our beliefs.
Why do we as Christians throughout the world persist in the face of ridicule, added expense (both money and time), possible bodily harm, or death? Both the psalm and Jesus give us the answer in today’s readings. The psalm response is “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.” St. Augustine put it another way… “our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Jesus says “the Son of Man will come with His angels in His Father’s glory, and then He will repay all according to his conduct.” That is why we persevere; may all be gifted with the grace to continue.
Reflection by parishioner John Ceglarek