Brothers and sisters, doing the right thing is rarely the easy thing. If you try to live an honest, upright, and faithful life, you will eve...
Brothers and sisters, doing the right thing is rarely the easy thing. If you try to live an honest, upright, and faithful life, you will eventually upset people who prefer the darkness. Our readings today remind us of this reality, centering on three words: Plots, Protection, and Perseverance.
First, we see the Plots. In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah is in agony. He is simply doing what God asked him to do, but he hears the whispers of his enemies. Even his friends are waiting for him to make a mistake so they can trap him. In the Gospel, the Plots turn violent. The crowd literally picks up stones to kill Jesus. Why? Because He told them the truth. He told them that He and the Father are one. When we stand up for our faith, when we refuse to cheat at work, when we defend the dignity of life, or when we speak out against gossip, we will face the plots of the world. We will be misunderstood, mocked, or even canceled.
But immediately, we are reminded of God's Protection. Jeremiah doesn't give in to despair. Instead, he boldly declares, "But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble." He knows that human plots are nothing compared to divine protection. Jesus, facing a mob with stones, does not panic. He calmly reasons with them, pointing to the good works He has done. And when they try to arrest Him, He slips from their grasp because His "hour" had not yet come. God’s protection doesn't mean we won't suffer, but it means that the enemy will never have the final word over our souls.
Because of this protection, we are called to Perseverance. Notice what Jesus does after He escapes the mob. He doesn’t go into hiding and stop His ministry. He goes back across the Jordan, and the Gospel tells us that "many came to believe in him there." He persevered in His mission of love.
My friends, as we look toward the cross next week, do not be afraid of the Plots against you. Trust fiercely in the Lord's Protection. And ask for the grace of Perseverance, so that no matter the stones the world throws at you, you will never stop reflecting the love of Christ. Amen.
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