Word to the Wise
Sunday, August 18, 2019 - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time - C [2010: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary]
[Jer 38:4-6, 8-10; Heb 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53]"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth: No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." [Luke]
The common fate of prophets is often like that of Jeremiah in the first scripture for this Sunday. He is thrown into a cistern because his preaching caused controversy. Jesus' sad prediction about his own preaching is featured in the gospel scripture. How can faith be such a divisive thing? I often hear folks say, "In this family, it is dangerous to talk religion or politics!" Perhaps if we tried to understand religious belief and the gospel better, we wouldn't have dangerous politics! It is a sad fact that many very good people let their politics be their real gospel and let it shape their religious belief rather than the other way around.
Both Jeremiah and Jesus were threats to people with power and influence. Political power is demonstrated in the way the king is influenced to allow Jeremiah to be thrown in a well and left for dead. Another court official, like many in our own day, realized that the "optics" on this were very bad and got Jeremiah rescued! Political power was demonstrated by the way the religious authorities and Pilate decided to do away with Jesus. One is reminded of the famous line in MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL, "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?"
Power and security are hallmarks of political life of any form. If religious faith threatens the powerful and secure, dangerous things can happen. Ask Jesus and Jeremiah! AMEN