Memory of Jesus crucified

Memorial of Saint Stanislaw, bishop of Krakow and martyr (+1079). He defended the poor, the dignity of men and women, and the freedom of the Gospel and the Church.

Reading of the Word of God

Praise to you, o Lord, King of eternal glory

This is the Gospel of the poor,
liberation for the imprisoned,
sight for the blind,
freedom for the oppressed.

Praise to you, o Lord, King of eternal glory

Jeremiah 20,10-13

I heard so many disparaging me, 'Terror on every side! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!' All those who were on good terms with me watched for my downfall, 'Perhaps he will be seduced into error. Then we shall get the better of him and take our revenge!' But Yahweh is at my side like a mighty hero; my opponents will stumble, vanquished, confounded by their failure; everlasting, unforgettable disgrace will be theirs. Yahweh Sabaoth, you who test the upright, observer of motives and thoughts, I shall see your vengeance on them, for I have revealed my cause to you. Sing to Yahweh, praise Yahweh, for he has delivered the soul of one in need from the clutches of evil doers.

 

Praise to you, o Lord, King of eternal glory

The Son of Man came to serve,
whoever wants to be great
should become servant of all.

Praise to you, o Lord, King of eternal glory

This passage is taken from the last and most dramatic of the "confessions" of Jeremiah. It is a prayer written after the prophet has been flogged and locked up in a prison for the entire night. Jeremiah speaks of the conflict that has arisen between his prophetic mission and the opposition which it encounters. He finds himself misunderstood and completely abandoned; he sees around him only enemies. Even former friends spy on his downfall as if to rejoice in it. But, despite such hostility, Jeremiah does not let himself to be caught by discouragement; he strengthens his trust in the Lord: "But the Lord is with me like a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail." Difficulties do not lead him to withdraw into himself and brood with resentment and anger. If anything, his indignation at the Israelites' hardness of heart confirms Jeremiah in his ministry of prophecy. He knows that the Lord is by his side. From an Old Testament perspective, his prayer calls for revenge against his enemies; in an evangelical vision, this will become a prayer for forgiveness so that they may be touched by God's mercy and change their lives.