5th Week of Lent (C) : Friday 11th April 2025

What gives Prophet Jeremiah the courage? It is God’s words of truth and justice. To be a courageous missionary disciple of Jesus is to take His words seriously. Following Jesus’ footsteps ardently in engaging with people in or outside the Church, we risk being misunderstood, ridiculed or rejected for the extra mile we go and who we stand for. Genuine faith does not always bring easy acceptance. It will very likely take us to a road less travelled, and very often, we may experience a sense of moral loneliness and utter frustration like Prophet Jeremiah and Jesus had gone through.

People in Prophet Jeremiah’s time, find his honest and truthful teaching to denounce evil and return to God unbearable. In Jesus’ public ministry, the teachers of the Law considered Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God a blasphemy. They refused to acknowledge even His good work, rejected Him and saw nothing godly of the Father through His words and action. In the eyes of both Jesus’ and Jeremiah’s critics, getting rid of them would solve their uncomfortable problems. In our time, with various media, it is easier to manipulate deeds to get rid of people of goodwill. Still, we stand for honesty and justice.

When Jesus arrived on the far side of Jordan where John had been baptizing, people who heard John’s words about Jesus saw the truth and believed in Him.

Lord, let it be that when I take Your words seriously, going the extra mile in serving You is joy.