June 25, 2023, Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Jeremiah, who we see in the First Reading (Jer. 20:10-13), endures many trials and sufferings as a prophet. They are a perfect example of the stern warning that Jesus offers his disciples in the Gospel (Mt 10:26-33) to not be afraid in their duties for the Lord.

Of all of the prophets that came before Jesus, Jeremiah was perhaps the most tortured and oppressed. The son of a priest, Jeremiah prophesied against abuses in worship, social injustice and idolatry from 627BC until the Babylonian captivity around 582BC.

His mission, from beginning to end, was wrought with conflict. At the very least, the people did not listen to him, rather they ridiculed and rejected him; and his friends embittered him with betrayal (Jer. 20:7-10). The priests and other prophets plotted against him and seized him, planning to put him to death (Jer. 26:8-15).

He was accused of treason, beaten, and placed in a dungeon cell for many days (Jer. 37:11-16). He was imprisoned in a muddy cistern, where he was let down with ropes into the mud and left to starve (Jer. 38:6-10). The rejection Jeremiah endured also prompted internal conflict; he was heartsick (Jer. 18:8) and cursed the day he was born (Jer. 20:14).

We see an example of the harassment endured in the First Reading (Jer. 20:10-13). He claims to hear the whisperings of those around him. They vow to denounce him, and his friends look for an opportunity to trap him and take vengeance on him. But Jeremiah knows in his heart that the Lord is with him and that his enemies will fail and be put to shame for their failure.

Jeremiah then prays to the Lord who probes the mind and heart of his servant knowing his dedication and allegiance and that he will take vengeance for Jeremiah against his enemies. Jeremiah sings to the Lord and praises him for having rescued him from the wicked. Throughout his harassment and rejection, Jeremiah remains staunch in his faith and his mission for the Lord.

In the Gospel (Mt 10:26-33) Jesus warns the twelve disciples of the rejection they will face. It is similar to what Jeremiah endured. But he tells them not to be afraid. There is no secret that Jesus has spoken to them that will not be revealed. They are to feel free to speak every word the Lord has spoken to them. He tells them not to be afraid of those who can injure them physically but not harm their souls. The only thing to fear is the evil one who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna (hell).

Jesus continues with a metaphor, saying sparrows are worth only a few cents but do not fall from flight without the Father knowing. God keeps track of all of his faithful servants going so far as knowing the number of hairs on their heads. He tells them do not be afraid. They are worth more than sparrows and the Lord will protect them so much more.

Jesus vows to the disciples, “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father” (Mt. 10:33).

It is no secret what happened to the disciples of Jesus when they started their mission on his behalf after his ascension. They dedicated their lives to him, spreading the good news of the resurrection to all the people they met and baptizing hundreds of individuals into their newly formed Church. They were obstinate against the Jewish leaders, even amidst the imprisonment that those like Peter and Paul endured. In the end most of them died a martyr’s death at the hands of the Romans or the non-believing Jews.

They were all still like Jeremiah. They would not give up their preaching and healing in the name of Jesus. Nothing could stop them from the dedication they made with their lives to the Lord. And Jesus saved a spot for each of them in the realm of heaven after their martyrdom.

There are still Christians throughout the world being tortured and murdered in the name of Christ. One wonders how they would react in the face of such trials. For our lives as followers of Jesus are rather peaceful and carefree. However, secular society presses us and threatens our beliefs by becoming more and more antagonistic to our religious practices with restrictions on prayer in public, God in schools, and Christ in Christmas. Like Jeremiah and the disciples, it is our duty to stay true to our traditions even when society threatens us. At such times it helps to remember the words of our responsorial psalm, “I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness; in your great mercy turn toward me” (Ps. 69:14,17).