Excerpts from The Holy Bible : Revised Standard Version Second Catholic edition

(2006), with the ecclesiastical approval of the United States Conference of Catholic

Bishops, Thomas Nelson Publishing for Ignatius Press.

Today Luke tells us the

story of Jesus

participating in the

Sabbath’s day ceremony

in the synagogue.

We see Jesus, rise, and

read the scripture from

Isaiah that announces his

arrival and mission.

Have you noticed that in

your life there are times

you rise, paraphrase a

passage from scripture

and deliver

a message no one wants to

hear?

For Christians there is

always tension between

the cross and the world

because they live in the

world but don’t adopt

worldly goals or

ambitions.

Francis Schaeffer

developed a theory he

called the, “theology of

disagreement.”

The theory states that all

Christians are called to

love unconditionally, yet

the Christian can’t love

without hating the

opposite of what they

love.

The prophet Jeremiah

appeared to many as a

difficult and

unreasonable person

who was always ready to

pick a fight.

In reality he was a

sensitive, caring individual

intent on doing the will

of God no matter what it

cost him, and it cost him

a great deal.

Jeremiah always seemed to

be on the side of

unpopular issues.

In today’s world he might

be the one carrying a

protest sign at an

abortion clinic.

He might be the political

activist who stands in

opposition to a tax

dodging senator while

others tell him to forget

it because “everyone

dodges taxes.”

Why did Jeremiah take on

unpopular issues?

Because he was convinced

that’s what God wanted

him to do, no matter the

cost.

As Jeremiah said, “9If I

say, “I will not mention

him, or speak any more

in his name,”

there is in my heart as it

were a burning fire shut

up in my bones, and I

am weary with holding it

in, and I cannot

(Jeremiah 20:9).

Jeremiah spoke fluently,

boldly, and without

consideration of who

would be displeased.The Holy Bible : Revised Standard Version Second Catholic edition (2006), with the ecclesiastical approval of the United States Conference of Catholic

Bishops, Thomas Nelson Publishing for Ignatius Press.

Jeremiah was called by

God to be his

spokesman, whose

mission was to call

people back to God.

How does this fit into our

life today?

Jeremiah had qualities that

we need to imitate.

Often we feel intimidated

by what is happening

around us.

We fear the consequences

of speaking out against

corruption or

wrongdoings in society.

Are we fearful of the

hostility of those who

accuse us of being

intolerant?

Christians throughout

history who have been

committed to integrity

and values hear the same

objections as did

Jeremiah.

The battle for

righteousness, for the

will of God, can be

traced all the way back

to the Book of Genesis.

If you don’t imitate

Jeremiah and stand up

for Christian values your

silence then condones

the wrongdoing of your

fellow man and society.

Become Jeremiah in your

home, your family, your

city,

your state and country.

Do not remain silent.

It is better to bear the

slings and arrows of

outrageous misfortune

as did Jeremiah; show

the world that you are

not afraid of them, and

are able to withstand

their blows.

Jesus led the way in

standing up for Godly

values.