Jeremiah 26:1-9 / Matthew 13:54-58
To be alone is quite different from loneliness. Loneliness is an unpleasant feeling of emptiness and isolation.
Loneliness is painful because human beings are by nature social beings and they seek company and relationships.
To be alone does not mean that one is not a social being or does not want human company and relationships.
To be alone may mean that in standing for one's beliefs and principles, one may be left standing alone.
In today's readings, we see two men who had to stand alone for what they believed in.
In the 1st reading, the prophet Jeremiah had yet another oracle from the Lord to proclaim, and it was another tough one for the people to hear.
He not only found himself standing alone but alone against the powerful religious authority who can make a demand for his life.
As a prophet, Jeremiah was not accepted because he only had "bad" news for the people.
In the gospel, Jesus would highlight that a prophet is not accepted among his own people. He too had to stand alone in the face of rejection and even opposition.
When we have to stand alone for our beliefs and principles, and especially when we have to stand for God, we will not be standing alone.
When we stand for God, He will never leave us alone.