In distress

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present situations of distress experienced as Jeremiah and Jesus pursue the will of the Father. Jeremiah speaks confidently that his persecutors will be overcome as the Lord is with him as a ‘dread warrior’. The prophet suggests that he would like to witness the vengeance of the Lord upon his enemies. Our truth is that we often delight too much in seeing the tables turned on those who trouble us. The psalmist proclaims his great confidence in the attention of God to his needs when he is in distress. The Gospel from John recounts the increasing tension between Jesus and the religious authorities. Jesus relationship as “Son of God” is difficult for the authorities to comprehend. The thought is blasphemy to them. The evidence of the works of Jesus is not able to convince them. The tension builds to the desire of the authorities to stone Jesus. Providence provides an exit from the confrontation.