The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that when our actions as disciples of Christ are challenging to the status quo of power dynamics in our society, the Spirit accompanies us in our trials.
In the reading from Jeremiah the authorities spare the prophet’s life
“This man does not deserve death;
it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.”
Psalm 69 is a prayer for Deliverance from Persecution.
* [Psalm 69] A lament complaining of suffering in language both metaphorical (Ps 69:2–3, 15–16, the waters of chaos) and literal (Ps 69:4, 5, 9, 11–13, exhaustion, alienation from family and community, false accusation). In the second part the psalmist prays with special emphasis that the enemies be punished for all to see (Ps 69:23–29). Despite the pain, the psalmist does not lose hope that all be set right, and promises public praise (Ps 69:30–36).
The Gospel of Matthew describes the execution of John the Baptist.
* [14:3] Herodias was not the wife of Herod’s half-brother Philip but of another half-brother, Herod Boethus. The union was prohibited by Lv 18:16; 20:21. According to Josephus (Antiquities 18:116–19), Herod imprisoned and then executed John because he feared that the Baptist’s influence over the people might enable him to lead a rebellion.
Ron Fussell comments that when we know nothing greater than our own power, we are in trouble.
The Word Among Us Meditation on Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24 concludes that St. Paul reminds us, “If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). In Christ, we are all one family, and we should all care about believers who experience severe persecution, even if it’s not happening to us.
Friar Jude Winkler shares his reflection for today.
Richard Rohr, OFM, summarizes the week of reflections on Holy Listening.
Our mission as disciples of Christ may raise opposition as our actions show areas of need, oppression, injustice, and greed that require change in how society operates.
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