MONDAY, EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Jer 28: 1-17 Ps 119: 29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102 Mt 14: 22-36
EVEN PETER COULD BE A MAN OF LITTLE FAITH
Jeremiah the Prophet mandated by Yahweh, is determined to fulfill his commitment. He makes a desperate attempt to put sense into the minds of the king and his court and advises them not to rebel against Babylonians who are almost at the gates of the Kingdom, nor seek help from Egypt. His efforts are thwarted by the Hananiah the high priest who offers a consolation message to the court and people that nothing tragic will happen; everything is well and Jeremiah is chronically pessimistic and should be imprisoned for inciting the people to rebel and overthrow the regime. It is a draconian instrument every regime that has lost the trust of the people resorts to. Jesus was also put to death for the same reason; and in our times so many sincere whistle blowers are in prison too.
Jeremiah takes the leap of life and death; and confronting Hananiah declares “You have no mandate; You are imposter. The lord has not sent you. Your reassuring words will not come true; and the kingdom shall surely be overrun and destroyed by the Babylonians which happens in the year 586 BC. There is no place for presumption and excuses or cheap short cuts preached by many so-called prophets who have no mandate whatsoever. In the Gospel too Jesus who had given a pivotal role for Simon and named him solid rock Peter and promised that the powers of hell will not bring him down, suddenly calls him a Man of little faith. Peter the prospective leader of a unique religious society failed in the test of trust. His faith was mere self-confidence, that disappeared in serious threats and problems. He sank. Jesus wanted his disciples to be strong. He will surely pray for his Church that they may not vacillate. Every one of us can fail, from the top to the least. We must walk with humility and in perennial link with Jesus who holds us by the hands when we have the honesty to acknowledge our little faith, unlike the over enthusiastic peter.
Response: Teach me your statutes, O Lord
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