Jeremiah 20:10-13 / John 10:31-42
There are so many similarities between what the prophet Jeremiah of the 1st reading went through and what Jesus suffered.
Both had so many enemies disparaging against them. Both felt terror from every side and suffered abandonment and humiliation, even from their friends.
Jeremiah called upon God to be his vindicator and to deliver him from the hands of evil men. He even hoped to see the vengeance that God will inflict upon his enemies.
That is also often our reaction to those who do evil and wickedness against us. Whether aloud or under our breath, we will call retribution upon these wicked people.
Like Jeremiah, how else can we react to the ungratefulness for the good we did. How else can we react for being blamed and punished even when we are innocent?
We may not want to admit it, but the thirst for vengeance has a deep root in us.
Jesus also believed in vindication. He believed that His Father is with Him always and will eventually glorify Him.
Yet Jesus did not ask that vengeance be exacted on His enemies or those who abandoned and betrayed Him.
In fact He forgave His enemies and those who did Him wrong. He didn't even asked that His enemies be punished.
So there is a difference between vindication and vengeance.
We need to believe that in the end God will vindicate us i.e., God will reward us for our faith and perseverance.
There is no need to ask for vengeance. If we are vindicated, what good will there be of vengeance?