(Please read the Scripture passage before reading the homily.)
Jeremiah once gave the false prophet Pashhur the nickname Terror on Every Side Cf. Jeremiah 20:1-9). Then Jeremiah’s enemies picked up on that and used it to taunt Jeremiah. Jeremiah was being “hounded to death”, but he maintained his confidence in the Lord even to the extent of singing praise to the Lord despite his troubles.
Because of Jeremiah’s sufferings, he has become an antitype to the sufferings of Jesus. Jeremiah suffered for proclaiming the word of the Lord; Jesus suffered for proclaiming his relationship to God the Father.
Will we suffer if we stand up for the word of God? It is a distinct possibility. We tend to want to do things our way, and if someone should point out that our way is not God’s way, we tend to resent that person: how dare anyone question us on our behavior!
When we deliberately refuse to do what we ought to do, we become like Pashhur, a false prophet; we also become an enemy to the way of Christ.
God calls us to follow God’s way, not our way or the way of other people. God calls us to God’s way. We respond confident that God will remain with us throughout any difficulties we may experience.
Like Jeremiah, we can sing to God in hardships and remain faithful to God in all things.