In today’s readings we hear of two persecuted prophets, Jeremiah and Jesus. Both are not only persecuted but threatened with death. Jeremiah is a reluctant but faithful prophet. When God calls him, he protests:
God: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.”
Jeremiah: “Ah, Lord God! I do not know how to speak. I am too young!” (Jeremiah 1:5-6).
In today’s reading Jeremiah hears the mocking and ridicule of his fellow Jews as he preaches his message of judgment and doom: “I hear the whisperings of many: ‘Terror on every side!’” His adversaries are even seeking to do away with him: “‘Denounce! Let us denounce him!’ All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. ‘Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail and take our vengeance on him.’” Although he complains Jeremiah also put his trust in God: “Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!”
Like Jeremiah before him, Jesus in today’s Gospel is threatened with stoning and death. Some of Jesus’ fellow Jews fail to acknowledge the good works that God is doing through him and even accused him of blasphemy: “We are not stoning you for good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” First century Jews believed in a strict monotheism. They recited the Shema twice a day in which they professed that there is only one God: “Hear (Shema), O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:29-30; Deuteronomy 6:4-5). They would found it difficult if not impossible to accept Jesus as God. They faced what seemed to be two conflicting experiences, Jesus doing good works and Jesus claiming to be the Son of God.
The prophets in our midst today continue to face ridicule and mockery so we do not have to accept their challenging message as they call for social justice and the care of our common home, the care of creation. The prophets also challenge us to show love to all as they condemn racism, anti-Semitism, and islamophobia. As we prepare to celebrate Holy Week let us turn from hatred to Jesus’ way of love:
“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35).
Image: “Prophet Jeremiah” by bobosh_t is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.