Friday of the 5th week of Lent year A
Theme: Faith in God
In the 1st reading of today, we see the challenges and plot against the prophet Jeremiah, because of his uprightness as a messenger of God. The people are against him, because they cannot stand him telling them the truth to their face, and they are determined to destroy him at all costs. Interestingly, amidst all these plots to destroy the prophet Jeremiah, his faith and trust in God is strong and resolute. He did not allow the situation to lead him to the point that he begins to doubt whether God is still with him. Rather he is convinced that God is with him and will vindicate him at the end.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, the prophet Jeremiah is calling on God to come and fight his battle for him. He has handed everything over to God, to take control of the situation. Unlike what some of us would have done, by planning to revenge on our own and keeping God by the side. His action simply points to the fact that revenge is of the Lord, and not ours. This is something we must emulate, as we are confronted with the challenges of life. When God fight our battles for us, we are sure of victory; it may not be the same when we do the fighting ourselves. The earlier we realize this fact the better for us. It is important to note the fact that the only way the prophet offended them was because he told them the truth about themselves and the message of God for them.
In our own time the situation has not changed, some of us cannot stand the truth about themselves, and instead of making amends declares the source of the message an enemy. If we recognize the fact that none of us is perfect, it should give us the right disposition towards the truth about ourselves. Human growth goes through a process, and our disposition has a great role to play. The situation of the prophet Jeremiah can come to us in different ways, you don’t have to be a prophet to experience it. The fact that you are upright and stand for what is good and right, is enough to attract such attacks to you. When such situation comes, pray for the grace to hand everything to God while you remain steadfast in faith.
May God grant us the grace to remain steadfast in times of challenges and the difficulties of life, in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.