On the Watch for Any Misstep

Today’s readings are bound together by the common theme of hatred by sinful people toward the just. In the first reading we hear the phrase "All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine." In the gospel, the Jews are trying to stone Jesus because He announced His divinity.

The witness given to us in the book of Jeremiah today rings true in our times. Those who profess the Catholic faith are attacked on all sides by people professing "freedom of religion" and "separation of church and state". These people do not seek to prevent the government from imposing religion. They seek to prevent the faithful from publicly acknowledging their religion. They seek to remove the idea of religion from public life. While true separation of church and state is necessary for the practice of our faith, the perversion of this principle is an attack on our freedoms.

Secular progressives are not the only ones heading attacks on our faith. The woefully uninformed and deliberately defiant Catholic dissident groups are also mounting attacks on our faith. While secular society attacks from outside, the dissident Catholics attack from within. Our Church is under attack on all fronts. We are engaged in an epic battle. Spiritual warfare is present in our midst.

What is the answer? It is simple: prayer and fasting. Only through these practices can we begin to turn the tide against our persecutors. Even at present, the work of so many faithful is bearing great fruit. We must listen to the words of the psalmist: “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.” Our petition for help in the battle will not fall on deaf ears. Our Lord gives us grace to fight the battle. We must ask Him for it.