March 23 2018 - homily - Friday of the 5th week of Lent - Jeremiah 20:10-13; John 10:31-42.

       In our readings, we see similarities in how the prophet Jeremiah was treated in his day and how Jesus was treated during his time here on earth.  Jeremiah was criticized, denounced, and persecuted. Even his friends abandoned him.  He says that they were awaiting his downfall and destruction.  The scribes, the Pharisees, and so many of the Jews likewise turned against Jesus.  They tried to trap him into violating God’s laws. In today’s Gospel, they are even ready to stone him to death. Today, after our mass is concluded, we will commemorate Jesus’ journey to the cross as we pray the ancient prayer devotion of the stations of the cross. A week from today, we will venerate the cross of Jesus at our Good Friday prayer service, commemorating the very day that he died on the cross.  Jeremiah had confidence in God. He knew that his attackers and critics would not prevail.  Jeremiah remained strong as he loyally served as a faithful prophet throughout his lifetime. Jesus also remained faithful to his Father and to his mission even to his death on the cross.  I found this meditation on the first station of the cross, of Jesus being condemned to die.  Its message speaks to us today: "Lord, you were condemned to death because fear of what other people may think suppressed the voice of conscience. So too, throughout history, the innocent have always been maltreated, condemned and killed. How many times have we ourselves preferred success to the truth, our reputation to justice? Strengthen the quiet voice of our conscience, your own voice, in our lives. Look at me as you looked at Peter after his denial. Let your gaze penetrate our hearts and indicate the direction our lives must take. On the day of Pentecost you stirred the hearts of those who, on Good Friday, clamored for your death, and you brought them to conversion. In this way you gave hope to all. Grant us, ever anew, the grace of conversion."