Since the first century AD and the time of the early church countless Christians have been persecuted in the name of Jesus. Still today, Christians throughout the world are suffering for their faith: facing ostracism, imprisonment, and death.

Even in the United States, where we enjoy religious freedom and the liberties of free speech and freedom to worship, Christians are being persecuted. This harassment occurs in more subtle ways in our secular society which values individual autonomy and personal choice over the truth of the Gospel and what is perceived to be an overly stringent moral and ethical code.

The readings for today address this dilemma for Christians and offer hope in the face of adversity by demonstrating that God is always concerned for those who profess belief in Him and follow the commands of Jesus.

In the First Reading for today we hear from the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 20:10-13). Perhaps more than any other Old Testament figure, Jeremiah is one whose mission from beginning to end is wrought with conflict and persecution.

The priests and other prophets plot against him and seize him to put him to death (Jer. 26:8-15). He is accused of treason, beaten, and placed in a dungeon cell for many days (Jer. 37:11-16). And he is imprisoned in a muddy cistern, where he is left in the muck to starve (Jer. 38:6-10).   

In today’s passage Jeremiah has just been released from the stockades of the Temple police and is being harassed by people who ridicule and reject him and embittered by friends who betray him. Yet, in the face of his harassment and rejection, he is compelled to speak out, remaining staunch in faith.

Jeremiah attests to the fact that God is present to him throughout his suffering. He proclaims, “The LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not prevail. Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the evildoers.” (Jer. 20:11, 13).

In the Gospel from Matthew for today (Mt. 10:26-33), Jesus is preparing the twelve disciples for their first mission without him. He is warning them about opposition and persecution similar to that of Jeremiah he knows they will encounter both at this time and later, after his death and resurrection.

Jesus cautions them, “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues.” (Mt. 10:16-17).

However, Jesus also reassures them saying, “Do not be afraid. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” (Mt. 10:26-28a).

Jesus is telling his disciples that everything he has revealed to them about God and the workings of his Heavenly Father through him should not remain hidden or secret. Rather they are to proclaim the good news of the Gospel openly to all who will listen. Even though they may encounter bodily harm, even death, their oppressors cannot stifle or destroy their souls, the spiritual essence of being immortally connected to God through faith in Jesus.

The words of reassurance from both Jeremiah and Jesus in today’s readings still hold true for us today. There may be times when we are ashamed to admit that we are Catholic, for example when some widely publicized scandal in our Church appears repeatedly on the news. Or we may encounter criticism from relatives and friends when we oppose the legalization of behaviors which we consider to be morally unacceptable. It might be something as simple as falling into the trap of complacency in a society which values secular activities more than attendance at Mass.

Whatever our struggle of faith might be, the words of Psalm 69 for this Sunday bring relief and reassurance as we pray, “Here I am miserable and in pain; let your saving help protect me, God, that I may praise God’s name in song and glorify it with thanksgiving. For the LORD hears the poor and does not spurn those in bondage. Let the heaven and the earth praise him, the seas and whatever moves in them!” (Ps. 69:30-31, 34-35).

Amen!