Saturday of the Fourth Week
Jeremiah does not want to be a prophet. He is quiet, meek, and peace-loving. He is a “man of great heart, with a gift of speaking what is in his soul.” He is a prototype par excellence of our Suffering Savior. Jeremiah’s life is dedicated to saving his people. He preached repentance to those who were ruthless, unfair, and indifferent; he rebuked royalty for their complacency and wickedness. He became hated by everyone; even his own relatives and townsmen tried to assassinate him. He is beaten, mocked, scorned, and put into prison. Jeremiah is put to death for begging his people to repent and return to God. He, who loved his people, became their enemy. 600 years later Jesus’ personal tragedy amazingly resembles that of Jeremiah. Both are tragedies of loved people who refuse to change their hearts and amend their ways.
Insight into the heart of Jeremiah shows his suffering, we understand the pain of rejection from his own people. Similarly, as we look into the heart of Jesus we understand the agony He felt when he was rejected by His own. He, Who loved His people, became their enemy. ‘Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter, Had not realized they were hatching plots against me…Let us cut him off from the land of the living, So that his name will be spoken no more.’ Jer 11:19
Despite his sufferings, the opposition, the threats, and contempt Jeremiah is experiencing he knows that God is with him. Jesus with the same experiences also prays to the Father: “O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge. save me, rescue me”. Ps 7
In today’s Gospel, we experience the confusion surrounding Jesus. He IS the Message and the Messenger; He is Prophet, yet He is one of us. The political/religious leaders are uncertain, astounded by the Person, confused by the Message. They reject Him and His Message. He, Who loved his people, became their enemy.
Lord God, in Your Presence I ask for clarity. Help me to understand Who You are in my life. Help me to know Your Message, to accept Your love, and to live Your Way. Open my heart to Your Spirit and Your Truth. I pray this in the Name of the Father, through His Son, in Unity with their Holy Spirit. Amen.
Janice Couture, Member of the Worshipping Community
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