Breaking Open the Word
June 21 - 12 Sunday Ordinary Time
Introduction
The first reading is from the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah is one of the 4 major prophets in the Old Testament, the other 3 are Isaiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. Jeremiah was often called the “weeping prophet” because he sorrowfully warned the people of Judah about their disobedience and predicted the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. God called Jeremiah in the seventh century BC to warn Israel to stay faithful to God or suffer the consequences. Jeremiah prophesied as God wanted, but because God’s word was slow to come true, people mocked him and attacked him. Right before today’s passage the priest Pashhur has the prophet Jeremiah whipped and locked in the stocks at the Upper Gate of the Lord’s Temple. This harsh punishment was retaliation for Jeremiah’s grim prophecies about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah is experiencing a deep crisis, questioning his mission and his willingness to continue preaching the word of God that brings him abuse and rejection. In today’s reading he speaks of the plots against him by former friends who had become his enemies. Jeremiah declares that God is with him as a warrior, a champion. Eventually his opponents will realize this, and God will ensure that they are dishonored because of their past behavior. Until then Jeremiah will speak God’s word despite the pain it brings him. This passage is like a psalm of lament, it complains about Jeremiah’s situation but concludes with a statement of God’s power to defeat the sinners and sustain the prophet.
The second reading is from Paul’s letter to the Romans. We heard these verses earlier this year on the First Sunday of Lent. This is an important passage for the development of the Christian doctrine of original sin. Paul draws a parallel between Adam and Christ. His point is that sin and death came into the world through one man and righteousness and life also came through one man. After he starts to make that point, he digresses into a discussion of sin in the world. Before God gave Moses the commandments, sin was in the world, but human beings were not held accountable because they were violating no commandment. In the last part, Paul stresses the difference between Adam and Christ, insisting that grace is more powerful than sin and that the results of Christ’s redemption far surpass the effects of Adam’s transgression.
Gospel Explained
This passage is a part of Jesus’ instructions to the apostles as he sent them out on mission. We heard the first part of this instruction last Sunday. As they go out to preach, Jesus urges them not to be afraid. What has been spoken secretly from Jesus to the disciples is now to be proclaimed widely and openly. The second encouragement not to fear uses Greek ideas of body and soul rather than Jewish thought. The enemies of God can only destroy the body, not the soul, the one who can cause the total torment in Gehenna is more powerful. Gehenna was a valley near Jerusalem that had been the site of pagan sacrifice. By Jesus day it was a vast garbage dump. It became synonymous with hell, a place or state of eternal punishment. Jesus also uses an example of two sparrows, who are the cheapest birds in the market, that God protects sparrows and also protects them. The final verses remind the apostles of the eternal consequences of their faithfulness or unfaithfulness to their mission.
Today's Theme
Today’s Theme: Go spread the word, do not be afraid
In last week’s Gospel, Jesus sends his apostles to go and spread the Good News. Even though Jesus’s apostles spent 3 years with him hearing his words and seeing the miracles he performed, there was still much fear they had as Jesus sent them out to preach. Even though people heard Jesus preaching and witnessed him curing the sick and bringing sight to the blind, his message was still not widely accepted and he was not greeted warming in many locations. The apostles would need to have faith in God that he will protect them as they carry out their mission.
Theme in our Life Today
We need not be afraid because our life is in the hands of a loving God. Sometimes we are afraid that we will make a wrong decision. At other times, we are afraid of what others will think when we speak up for Jesus. We are afraid of what the future will bring to our children. We are also afraid of growing old. Sometimes we are afraid of what declining health will bring us. At the root of these fears is the fear of loss. Every fear we have is grounded in the knowledge that we have something or someone to lose. I can lose my job, family, house, money, reputation, health, and even life itself. Rejection and loss are the basis of our fears. But we forget one thing: whatever trouble or crisis affects us, we know that God understands it better than we ourselves do. Our Heavenly Father knows exactly what is happening. What a release from fear it is to know that God is with us; that our life is in the hands of a loving God! The next time fear grips us we need to remember that being faithful to Christ wherever we meet him in this life is much more important than our fear of loss or rejection by others.
Prepare for Sunday
To Prepare for this Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word, consider the following:
1. Describe a time in your life when you were afraid and God seemed too far away. What helped you overcome your fear?
2. When have you allowed someone or something to control you or prevent you from speaking the truth? How did you feel about it afterward?
3. Relate a time when you found it difficult to heed God’s command “do not be afraid of anything”
4. Describe a time when you were anxious about an event and it turned out that there was nothing to be concerned about.
5. How courageous of a disciple are you?
PRAYER
O God,
early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray and to concentrate my thoughts on you: I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness, but with you there is light. I am lonely, but you do not leave me.
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help.
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience. I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me...
Restore my liberty, and enable me so to live now that I may answer before you and before me. Lord, whatever this day may bring,
your name be praised. Amen.