In fact, the 1st Reading recounts the deadly plots of evil men that Jeremiah the prophet of God was subjected to. The 2nd Reading shows how Christ shed His blood to deliver humanity from the terrors of death brought about by the sin of Adam. The contrast between God’s assistance towards Jeremiah and Christ’s sacrifice is huge. God came to the rescue of an innocent Jeremiah whereas Christ came to the rescue of those who bear the burden of inherited sin.
The depth of God’s love as reflected in the redemption of abject sinners is proof that He can be trusted to care for His servants. To save us Christ stared into the abyss of evil, subjecting Himself to hatred and enduring the torments of the crucifixion. This is our consolation as apostles. The cost of our salvation is no less than the life of God’s only Son. This makes the Gospel a powerful message. “Do not be afraid. Trust Him despite the possibilities of troubles and suffering.
However, the invitation from Jesus may not be compelling enough because we are a crowd at pains to stamp out suffering at all costs. We are incapable of accepting that there is no way to escape from suffering no matter how much we try. A generation that believes that there is a-pill-for-every-ill cannot grasp let alone understand the inevitability of pain and sorrow. Suffering merely reflects the imperfection of created reality but most of all, it is the result of creation having lost its original harmony with God.
We necessarily suffer because death is the price of sin. Whilst Christ may have ransomed us from everlasting death, what the 2nd Reading left out is that His death did not save us from suffering. We may be saved but we are not shielded from suffering. In fact we are terrified by suffering. Just look at the continual masking. I am not advocating the removal of masks. No way am I am mocking anyone who wears it especially those who are elderly, vulnerable and need protection. The observation, and I am prepared to be wrong, is possibly because we have developed an adverse allergy to suffering and pain. Many who wear the mask have no fear of dying though they may be afraid of the effects of Covid—the headaches and body aches. Is it any wonder why Panadol is in such short supply? Our tolerance of pain is so low that the notion of pain is basically heightened. Fear amplifies suffering and our child-bearing process is a good example where epidural is widely used to relieve the pain of child-birth.
Suffering is unavoidable because of evil. One may argue philosophically that evil does not exist. Just like cold or darkness do not exist because cold is merely the absence of heat and darkness is simply the absence of light. Thus, evil is the privation of good. However philosophy wants to define evil, cold or darkness, the truth is, evil is real. As in the case of Jeremiah who suffered on account of the wicked men.
Evil is an expression of the forces that are arrayed against God our Lord. It started with the angels, jealous of the dignity that God accorded to man. That the Son of God would deign to assume the lowliness of human flesh was too much for the pride of angels and as such, they rebelled and that rebellion has not stopped. We should not be surprised by the presence of evil.
Sadly, the reality is that we are often taken aback. We assumed that civilisation having progressed that much, we would have arrived at enlightened behaviour. For example, genocide in this 21st century. We are shocked and disgusted that this can still happen. This assumption is rather erroneous simply because it is founded on a thinking that the world is untainted by Original Sin. A corollary of this erroneous thinking is that there are no forces that work against God.
If we look at the life of Jesus, He was not a revolutionary leader. He was not fighting to overthrow a foreign regime. Instead He came to save humanity from the clutches of evil. He encountered forces that tried to sabotage those who wanted a relationship with God. As long as there are forces opposed to the rule of God, evil will rear its head and when it does, suffering ensues.
Perhaps we will persevere better if we accept that the price of love is suffering, exemplified in the birth of a child. In everything we care for, or better still, when we care for someone, there will be suffering. Thus, by being faithful to the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life and the truth of human sexuality, we will encounter opposition, persecution and as a result, suffer on account of Christ. There is expectation that Catholics should fall in line with present thinking on matters of life and death or sexuality and identity. Hold on to what the Church teaches and you will meet the forces that insist that you are wrong. Orthodoxy is the new heresy.
In preparing His disciples to be apostles, to be sent, Jesus warned them that they will face opposition, endure persecution and undergo suffering. Are we ready to uphold a civilisation of life that defends the sacredness of life and at the same time stand against the civilisation of death? It is easy to believe privately but it requires courage to express what we believe publicly. If we are afraid of being persecuted for holding on to Christ’s teachings, then we must ask the courage to embrace our apostleship. Take heart and trust God for we have not been sent to suffer but rather bear in mind that we will definitely suffer because we have been sent. The God of all grace who has called us to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself perfect, confirm, and establish us, after a brief time of suffering. Therefore, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Pet 5:10).
