Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 69:10-17, 33-35; Romans 5:12-15;
Matthew 10:26-33
Jeremiah was one of the prophets God sent to prophesy to the
people of Israel to turn from their sinful ways or they would face divine
judgment. Jeremiah prophesied that since the people had failed to repent of
their evil ways, a foreign power was going to conquer them, take them captives,
and destroy the temple and Jerusalem. For such prophecy, Jeremiah was
persecuted and was nearly killed. The first reading is a prayer of Jeremiah
while he was being persecuted. Jeremiah teaches us to commit our persecutors
into God’s hand. He prayed:
“But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my
persecutors will stumble, they will not prevail. In their failure, they will be
put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. … Let me
see the vengeance you take on them, for to you, I have entrusted my cause. Sing
to the Lord, … For he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the
evildoers! (Jeremiah 20:11-13).
Jeremiah represents messengers of truth everywhere who are
persecuted, or silenced, or eliminated: in families, neighborhoods, groups,
workplaces, institutions, organizations, churches, countries, and so on.
Today’s gospel is Jesus’ encouragement to his apostles to be
fearless in proclaiming the Good News. He reminded them that, later on, their
witnessing the Good News would attract persecution. He encouraged them not to
be discouraged because their sustenance would come from God.
Violent persecution of Christians is going on in several
parts of the world. In those places, Christians are killed, church buildings
and properties are burned down or destroyed. Christians’ rights and privileges
are denied them or taken away from them. We pray for the Christians who stay
strong in those places and dangerous conditions.
Another type of persecution is anti-Christian policies
whereby anti-Christian foundations are being dismantled. Christian principles,
values, symbols, education, and identifications are condemned as offensive and
removed. The adverse effects of the anti-Christian actions on the society are
obvious. It is clearly seen in the rise of all kinds of crimes and crises.
Someone says, “Life without Christ is Crises.”
Jesus tells us in today’s gospel not to be afraid or
discouraged. Jesus says, “… Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but
cannot kill the soul … Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will
acknowledge before my heavenly Father…” By this statement, Jesus promises
rewards to those who remain witnesses during persecution.
Jesus’ encouragement to those persecuted does not dismiss
the fact that it is the responsibility of governments to protect the citizens
from kidnapping, torture, abuses, destruction, and mindless killings by
persecutors. It is heartbreaking to see governments persecuting their own
citizens, and governments being collaborators and accomplices with persecutors’
heinous persecutions and crimes as it is the case in Nigeria.
According to a news report, between 2015 and 2025, at least
212 Catholic priests were kidnapped in Nigeria. 15 were murdered. The real
number of cases is certainly higher. These figures do not include the religious
men and women, and leaders of other Christian denominations who suffered the
same fate. Countless number of churches and church properties were burned down
or destroyed. The exact number of hundreds of communities destroyed and
displaced people is not known. The persecution is continuing unabated in 2026.
However, it is easy for us to see persecution out there but
fail to see persecution within (amongst ourselves). Do we intentionally and
knowingly persecute others by our words and actions?
Jesus promises us in today’s gospel that all the hairs of
our heads are counted and that we are not to be afraid. We earnestly pray for
God’s divine intervention in the lives of victims of persecution and violence.
Let us conclude with Prophet Jeremiah’s prayer in the first
reading:
“The Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors
will stumble, they will not prevail. In their failure, they will be put to
utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. … Let me see the
vengeance you take on them, for to you, I have entrusted my cause. Sing to the
Lord, … For he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the
evildoers!” Amen.
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