Readings: Jer. 20:7-9; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27
Jeremiah’s Burden – The burden of
preachers!
1. In today’s first reading, Jeremiah used the language of a betrayed lover to describe his relationship with God. God seduced, enticed, and manipulated him with promises of fidelity and commitment into a relationship. The Lord said to Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you before you were born, I dedicated you, and a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” (Jer.1:5). And when Jeremiah protested, “Ah, Lord God! I know not how to speak; I am too young.” God told him, “Say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you” (Jer. 1:7-8) The Lord then touched his mouth, saying, “See, I place my words in your mouth! This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms, to root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.” (Jer. 1:9-10). Jeremiah was further assured: “But do you gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account; for it is I this day who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land: Against Judah’s kings and princes, against its priests and people. They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” (Jer. 1:17-19).
2. Why then was Jeremiah mad at God? It was because “Violence and outrage is my message.” Because God’s Word has brought him “Derision and reproach all day.” Jeremiah thought that God’s promises at the time of his call would mean that everyone would love him and be receptive to his prophetic messages. But this was not the case. Those he preached to hate him; they ridiculed him, suspended him in the mud pit, threw him into jail, and threatened to kill him. And so, in the first reading, Jeremiah cries out complaining, “You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped; you were too strong for me, and you triumphed.” (Jer. 20:7). Jeremiah’s plight is that of every prophet who preaches the word of God. No wonder why some of today’s preachers preach what people want to hear and not God’s word.
3. Jeremiah’s burden came from his mission. He pointed out rottenness and corruption in high places, in sacred sanctuaries, among people who were supposed to be shining examples of virtue and champions of justice. He chastised the priests to reform their lives. He confronted kings and rulers to render justice to the poor. When Jeremiah preached, the outcome was violence and destruction; those in powerful positions and priests would mock and ridicule him. And so, he resolved not to speak of God’s Words anymore. But he immediately confesses his complete impotence to remain silent. Instead, he cried out that God’s word was like fire burning in his heart, imprisoned by his bones, “I grow weary holding it in, and I cannot endure it.” Jeremiah is gripped by the power of unrelenting love and so must keep on preaching.
4. Jeremiah had to deal with the burden of his mission, just as Christ had his, dealing with his disciples who did not quite know what his mission was about. Last week, he asked his apostles: “Who do you say I am?” Peter had an A+ with his answer that Christ was the anointed one of God. Christ gave him an exulted position and called him the Rock on which he would build his church. Peter was given the keys of the kingdom to bind and to lose. Peter had his five minutes of fame! But in today’s reading, Christ said to Peter. “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” One wonders how deep Peter’s knowledge of Christ was. When Peter said that Christ was the anointed one, his understanding was that Christ would rescue God’s people from the hands of the Romans; establish a kingdom in which there would be no more poor or sick or blind or lame. As we recall in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 - 7), there will be peace, love, and justice in that kingdom. Sinners would be converted, and the world would be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.
5. Christ was expected to be a high priest or a judge; he was to be a warrior or a great prophet like Elijah. He was to be so great, prosperous, and powerful that suffering and pains would have no place in his life. And the Apostles saw themselves as sharing in the greatness of their master. They were destined to have high and influential positions in that kingdom. Why is Christ discussing suffering, the cross, or even dying? Peter had to prevent him from talking like that. But Christ saw in Peter’s reaction another form of temptation trying to derail him from his mission. He called him Satan, a tempter, a barrier, an adversary, and a stumbling block. Just like Jeremiah, no one wants to suffer, no one wants the cross, and no one wants pain. We want an easy way out, so we cut corners, peddle the truth, compromise our principles, and follow the crowd. No, Lord, this must not happen to you. Jesus rebuked Peter and reminded him not to give instructions but learn from him instead. Jesus lived a sacrificial life. He loves us above and beyond his call of duty. His aim is to bring us to a life of union with God. This means we must say ‘yes’ to God and ‘no’ to self. He calls us to dethrone ourselves and enthrone God and so please God in all that we do. Secondly, Christ invites us to take up our crosses as he did his and live a life of sacrifice. We must abandon our ambition and serve Christ and those entrusted to our care. We do this through prayer, a good sacramental life, and a life service life to others. We pray that we may offer ourselves “As a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” Amen.
Rev. Augustine E. Inwang, MSP
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