In today’s readings we hear clear words of people ganging up to try to get Jeremiah. It is awfully reminiscent of how the Pharisees ganged up on Jesus, do you not think? “Let us destroy him by our tongue. Let us carefully note every word.” Is this not what happened to Jesus? They tried to trick him at every opportunity to provoke what they considered blasphemy.
This same pattern is timely today, as the devil continues to work by causing division through words. Saint Philip Neri warned us to be careful what we say about others, because our words leave us like feathers in the air, and we are unable to gather them back or repair the damage they have caused.
The psalm helps us cry out, “Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.” This is quite the opposite of how Jeremiah and our Lord were treated. Yet we ask time and again, Lord, give us your mercy. Give us your kindness.
The City of God vs The City of Man
The readings and the psalm today set before us a clear division between good and evil and between the people who use their freedom to perpetuate either one. Those who use their tongues to hurt or trap another are following the City of Man, as Augustine calls it. Those who cry out in the psalm, “My trust is in the Lord. Into your hands is my destiny. Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors,” are following the City of God. Which city do you identify with?
Lent is a present moment for us to evaluate ourselves. It is not a time to call others out. It is a space in the Kingdom, here and now, to dig deep and pray, “Lord, I want to be in your city. Help my unbelief. Forgive my transgressions against others. Help me hold my tongue and think before I speak.”
Too often we are the ones described in the first reading. We listen to gossip. We use sarcasm to belittle. We criticize another’s work or leadership when we have not been asked. We speak casually about others in ways we would not if they were standing in front of us. These may seem small, but they shape the culture of a home, a workplace, and even a parish.
Self Mastery and Self Control
Growing in self control is not just about temperance in food, media, or other suggested penances. Growing in self control, and perhaps even magnanimity if we dare to hope for it, means growing in control of our own words and thoughts in relationship to others. This applies at work, in the home, online, on the phone, in the store, in traffic, anywhere we are engaging with people.
We have been given a great responsibility through the gift of faith and the grace to be a light. In this, others look to us. Will we ask our Lord where our place is in his Kingdom, as the mother of the sons of Zebedee did? Or will we drink from the same chalice as our Lord and be the light of the world?
“Whoever follows me will have the light of life.” John 8:12
