Jer. 20:10-13 | PS 69:8-10, 17, 33-35 | Mt. 10:26-33 | Rom. 5:12-15
The readings today call us to recognize the results of sin and the collaboration with forces that do evil. Jeremiah is besieged by those who do not want to listen to his words of prophecy. Because Jeremiah tries to get the people to turn to God, the leaders of the people are against him. They convince others to join them in persecuting Jeremiah. Paul brings us to realize that while sin is evil, God gave us the gift of Jesus to overcome the evil of sin and bring us salvation. Jesus takes us many steps further when He calls us to place all our trust in Him and God. Jesus tells us not to fear those who try to take us away from God. We are told that we are so precious in the eyes of God that God has counted hairs on our heads. God knows when sparrows die and we are more important that sparrows. Jesus takes this message a step further by inviting us to believe in Him and to bring Him to others. How hard can that be? However we all know the effect of peer pressure. What Jesus desires is that we remain faithful despite what peers may try to influence us to do.
Reflect on your relationship with God? Do you sometimes succumb to the influence of peers? How can you overcome their negative influence? As Christ for the grace to be strong under the temptations that come from peers and others to do other than what God desires of you.