Jeremiah speaks of the fact that he was unpopular for speaking words people didn’t want to hear. How often are we looked down upon by others for proclaiming the truth God has spoken to us? Why are we surprised when such happens? The world does not want to hear what God has to say. Yet, despite the difficulties, God will prevail. We need to be faithful even when all seems lost. Like Jeremiah, we need to persevere in proclaiming God’s word even when the world is against us and doesn’t want to hear the truth. The psalmist reminds us that such is not a new response. He states, “For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my children, because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.” Why should we expect anything less as disciples of Jesus?
The Gospel reminds us that despite our mistreatment we should fear no one. We are called to, “Not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” In a world where we are called to deny our faith, to deny the teachings of the Church, to denounce the pope and what he stands for, Jesus reminds us, “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.” When we die and are judged by Jesus will he acknowledge us or deny us?
Additional Thoughts: I remember a story of the Franciscan Brother Juniper. He rejoiced when he was treated poorly and saw it as a way of joining himself closer to Jesus. When the apostles were mistreated, they too rejoiced when they were found worthy of suffering for Jesus, and the sake of the Gospel. Are we willing to accept mistreatment for the sake of our faith and our following the teachings of the Church?
Countenance of God 