Proclaiming God’s message to the world will not always be popular. What are we to do when we encounter hostility or opposition? Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass.
Readings for Friday of the 5th week of Lent can be found here.
It’s a truism that politics nowadays is more divisive and angry than ever, fuelled in part by social media. There’s one commentator on YouTube who taps into this phenomenon, but with a twist. He invites those opposed to him to come on his channel and debate with him. They tend to attack him quite viciously, questioning his motives and calling him all sorts of names. Somehow, in the face of all of this, he just sits there, quite calmly, and never responds in kind. Gently, but firmly, he puts his point of view through argument not insult. Occasionally his opponents are won over by this approach and calm down. Often it makes no difference, but he carries on, seemingly undeterred and unflappable.
In our first reading, Jeremiah is feeling harangued and attacked by his opponents, but unlike the YouTuber he has not invited this, nor does he relish it. “‘Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ say all my close friends, watching for my fall”, says Jeremiah. The reason that Jeremiah is being attacked is quite simply that he is proclaiming God’s message, and the people do not like what they are hearing. Jeremiah challenged their complacency and their sinfulness and tried to lead them back to God. The people and their leaders, however, thought they were doing just fine. In a similar, way, Jesus repeatedly came into conflict with the religious leaders of his day. Today the Jewish leaders try to stone him for whey regard as blasphemy, him claiming to be God. Again, there is a challenge to their ideas, to the status quo, which they cannot accept.
Part of the church’s calling is to be a prophetic voice to society today. We are to challenge conventional wisdom where it conflicts with God’s ways. This can lead to opposition and criticism, which is never easy to take. Both Jeremiah and Jesus continue their mission despite the attacks they face. Jeremiah is convinced that “the Lord is at my side, a mighty hero”; Jesus calmly states his case to the Jewish leaders. May we likewise have that serene trust in God so that we might preach the Word of God whether it is popular or not.
Mass today is in St Saviour’s at 10am.
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