First Reading (Jeremiah 26:1-9)
Reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah.
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the house of the Lord and speak to all who come from the cities of Judah to worship the Lord in the temple of the Lord all the words I have commanded you to speak. Do not hold back a single word, or perhaps they will hear and turn from their evil ways, and I will repent of my decision to punish them for their evil deeds. Then you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: If you will not live according to the law I gave you and listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I have sent to you to be careful and to guide you, and you have not listened, then I will make this house like Shiloh and will make it a city cursed by all the peoples of the earth.'” The priests and prophets and all the people who were present heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the Lord. When Jeremiah had finished saying all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests, the prophets and the people seized him, saying, “This man must die! Why do you say in the name of the Lord, ‘This house will be like Shiloh, and this city will be desolate and desolate’?” All the people gathered together against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.
– The word of the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Gospel (Matthew 13:54-58)
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew.
— Glory to you, O Lord.
At that time, Jesus came to his own town and taught in their synagogue, so that the people were amazed. And they said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary? And aren’t his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And don’t his sisters live with us? Then where did this man get all these things?” And they were scandalized because of him. But Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” And Jesus did not do many mighty works there, because they had no faith.
— Word of the Salvation.
— Glory to you, O Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we are blessed with readings that challenge us to reflect on the courage it takes to speak the truth and the difficulty we often face when trying to be faithful to our faith in the midst of disbelief and skepticism. Let’s begin with a reading from the prophet Jeremiah and then reflect on the gospel of Matthew, where Jesus faces rejection in his own homeland.
In Jeremiah 26:1-9, we see the prophet being called by God to deliver a very difficult message. God commands Jeremiah to go to the Temple and tell the people everything He tells him, without omitting a single word. Jeremiah’s message is a stern warning: if the people do not repent and return to God’s ways, the city of Jerusalem and the Temple will be destroyed.
Imagine the courage this required of Jeremiah. He knew that this message would be unpopular, that it would face resistance and even hostility. Indeed, the people’s reaction was swift and violent. They gathered against him, shouting, “This man must die!” Jeremiah was in danger of his life for being faithful to God’s call.
Here we see a powerful example of obedience and courage. Jeremiah did not hesitate to speak the truth, even knowing that it could cost him his life. He teaches us that as disciples of Christ, we must be faithful to our calling, even when it puts us in difficult or dangerous situations. God’s truth cannot be compromised, and our loyalty to Him must be unwavering.
In the Gospel of Matthew 13:54-58, we find Jesus returning to his hometown of Nazareth. He teaches in the synagogue, and despite his words of wisdom and the miracles he has performed, he is met with disdain. The people of his hometown are perplexed and ask themselves, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary? And his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? And his sisters, aren’t they all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”
What we see here is the difficulty the people of Nazareth had in accepting Jesus as the Messiah. They had known Jesus since he was a child and could not see beyond his humble origins. Because of their lack of faith, Jesus did not perform many miracles there. This episode highlights the painful reality that often those closest to us are the ones who most doubt our calling and mission.
This rejection that Jesus faced in Nazareth reminds us that, as his followers, we too will face rejection and misunderstanding, especially from those who know us well. It can be challenging to be faithful to our faith and the teachings of Christ when those around us question or disbelieve us. However, Jesus shows us that we must persevere, even in the face of rejection. Our identity and mission are not determined by the opinions of others, but by the will of God.
As we reflect on these readings, we are called to consider our own courage and faithfulness in living out our faith. In a world that is often hostile to the message of the Gospel, we are challenged to be prophets like Jeremiah, speaking God’s truth with courage, even when it is difficult or dangerous. We are also called to be faithful disciples like Jesus, persevering in our mission, even when we face rejection and skepticism.
Let’s imagine our lives as a tree planted by a river. This tree faces storms, strong winds, and sometimes drought, but its deep roots keep it firm and the water of the river sustains it. So too, our roots in Christ and our trust in His Word sustain us through the hardships and rejections we encounter.
To apply these principles to our daily lives, first, we must diligently seek God’s truth. This means spending time in prayer and Bible study, allowing God’s Word to take deep root in our hearts. When we know the truth, we are better able to share it with courage and conviction.
Second, we must be prepared for rejection. This is not easy, but it is an inevitable part of our journey as Christians. We can find comfort in the fact that Jesus was rejected too, and He understands us deeply. We must remember that our faithfulness to God is more important than human approval.
Third, we must support one another in our community of faith. Just as Jeremiah and Jesus faced opposition, so too will we. But together, we can encourage and strengthen one another by remembering God’s promises and the hope we have in Christ.
Let us now take a moment of silence to reflect on these truths. Let us close our eyes and ask God for the grace to be courageous like Jeremiah and faithful like Jesus. May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us in our mission to live and share the Gospel.
Lord, we thank You for today’s lessons. Help us to live according to Your will, to speak Your truth with courage, and to persevere in our mission, even in the face of rejection. May we be a light in the world, reflecting Your love and Your truth in every action and word. Amen.
As we leave here today, let us remember that we are called to be faithful to our faith, to speak the truth with courage, and to persevere, even in the face of rejection. May God’s grace accompany and strengthen us, and may we be instruments of Your peace and love in the world. Amen.
