Jeremiah stands out among the messengers of God to the people of Judah during its days of political convulsions. For 40 years his voice proclaimed God's love for his people and in kind the duty of the people toward God through their covenant relationship with him.
The opening words of the first reading from today's liturgy, "Gird you loins" are a call to mission for those passionate about their relationship with and for God. Perhaps no other Old Testament words better express the response of John the Baptist during his life of preaching. These few words, these three words, are a call to purpose and a signal to those in charge that a man of God is calling them to heed the words of God. Scripture scholars liken Jeremiah's call to the callings of Moses, Isaiah and Ezekiel. These individuals' calls show us three realities: (1) the predestination of the man to his prophetic role; (2) the intimacy between God and his prophet; (3) lastly, the persecution that follows upon such a mission. John the Baptist was a prophet do different. Today we recall and celebrate this man's strength, his dedication to his mission despite the challenge to his life.
What do these three words mean to us today? It is a call for us to put on the armour of battle, the battle that challenges the evils in our times. Primary for us today is battle to protect the dignity of every human life from the time of its conception through every stage of its development until the moment when the body of its own accord gives up its life.
God is clear: "stand up and tell them (those who bring about evil) all that I command you." Today we stand in the middle of two gatherings raising standards for the leadership of our nation. At the same time, we, the prophets of our times, we are called to stand strong in defending the dignity of every human being; we are called to stand strong in proclaiming the Commandments of our own covenant with God. Why? Because, like Moses, Jeremiah, Isaiah and John the Baptist, we are , by our baptism predestined to be proclaimers of the Good News; and, we too are reminded, that our discipleship will bring us ridicule and even persecution.
And should we fear? Should we worry? A one word answer: "Never!" "They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you...." And why? Because our God says these words!
