“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Sunday, 25thJune 2017.
Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Jer 20: 10-13;
Ps 68: 8-10, 14, 17, 33-35;
Rom 5: 12-15;
Mt 10: 26-33.
Before entering into a by-lane or street from the highway, one must pay attention to the signs. It is necessary to determine carefully if we are not running into another vehicle or a person in the lane. So also, the disciple of Christ has to attentively be careful of moving against the world. If he chooses the paths of renunciation, unselfish love, forgiveness, honesty, he sees the people moving in the opposite direction. He realizes that, no matter how much he proceeds with caution and prudence, clashes become inevitable. He will always be the one to suffer, to be considered out of place, to be accused of breaking the rules accepted by all. This also fills the Christian with doubts of moving in the wrong direction.
In the First Reading, we come across Jeremiah, who lives in one of the most dramatic moments in the history of his people. Nebuchadnezzar’s army had surrounded Jerusalem and had taken her by storm. The king and army commanders had made a mess of themselves with foolish decisions. The religious leaders, instead of realizing that ruin incited people praising the King and the military. In such a situation, Jeremiah, a young, shy, sensitive and peaceable man is called by the Lord to a difficult and risky mission “against the kings of Judah and its leaders, its priests and the people of the land.” He is fortified by the Lord by the words “They will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue you” (Jer 1:17-19). Jeremiah faces opposition. The enemies of Jeremiah do not limit themselves to mockery and sarcasm, but seek to condemn him and lynch him. Jeremiah sees his mission fail; he feels rejected by his people and abandoned by all. He is discouraged, uncertain and even doubts that his vocation was a deception. He unleashes his feeling to the Lord. His prayer, made of bold expressions, but sincere, brings out in him the certainty of God’s faithfulness. His confidence and his hope is again on fire. He proclaims: “Yahweh, a mighty warrior, is with me” (v. 11). He is sure, God will intervene, will make the truth shine and will make the defender of the just cause triumph.
In the Second Reading from the Letter to the Romans, Paul compares Adam and Jesus: he contrasts the consequences of the sin of the first man to the justification done by Christ. From the beginning, men have sinned, following the example of Adam who had disobeyed and had turned away from God. But, Jesus behaves in the opposite way: he is obedient to the Father, he has fulfilled his will until death. The consequence of Adam’s sin was death. Grace obtained by the obedience of Christ, however, is far superior. By merit of Christ, God has communicated to all his life.
The Gospel of Matthew was written at a time when Roman Emperor Domitian demanded to be worshipped as a God. Christians could not bestow divine honors to the king. For this, punishments, discriminations, confiscation of properties started for them. Many could no longer bear these constant harassments. They were at the limit of endurance and the looming risk of apostasy. Thus, to encourage the Christians of his community, Matthew wrote in this historical context, which he inserted in his Gospel, the sayings of the Master regarding the difficulties and persecutions that the disciples would have had to bear. For the Christians, persecution is not an accident; it is an inescapable fact: “All who want to serve God in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12).
In today’s Gospel, Jesus insists, three times: “Do not be afraid!” and each time, he adds a motive to justify his recommendation. Jesus assures us that despite the trials and hardships, the gospel will spread and transform the world. Jesus also invites us to reflect: what harm can the enemies of the gospel do? To offend, accuse unjustly, beat, confiscate property, take away life! Yes, but nothing more! No violence is capable of depriving the disciple of the only lasting treasure: the life he has received from God and that no one can take away. But there is someone—Jesus continues—that is to be feared. It is “the one who has the power to destroy both soul and body”. This is not an external character, rather the evil that, since birth, we carry within us. It is the negative force that suggests paths opposed to those of Christ. So, we need to fear above all ourselves and our own fear. Jesus calls us to trust in the heavenly Father’s providence. He assures God will still realize our true goodness if we have the courage to remain faithful.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I thank You for your love in my life. I thank You also for calling me and using me to transform the world. Help me to trust in your love and to daily surrender myself to you. In the moments of persecution, be my strength and hope. I also pray for all Christians persecuted across the World, that they may endure till the end. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
