31/07/2024
In the first reading Jeremiah is "fed-up". He has felt the inspiration to preach God's Word, but he is reproached by those you hear him. He knows that it is God's truth and not some human thinking that he preaches and yet even "loan-sharks" do not receive the hatred that faces him.
He has never done anything contrary to the will of God. In fact, he has loved to hear God's voice in the Scriptures and in his heart but God lets his enemies have the upper-hand to the extent that he questions the value of being born.
Part of God's reaction to Jeremiah's woes is to reassure him that he has been preaching the Word. He must not change the message of God to suit the world of his generation.
In my life time I have witnessed far too much backsliding by those who should be leading us on the way, truth and life by demonstrating that they too believe and are guided by the words that they preach.
Jeremiah did not limit his complaints to human words only. He faced up to the worldliness that was corrupting the chosen people and tarnishing their devotion to the crystal clear message that he knew came from God. He knew that both people and temple, sheep and shepherds would, in time, incur their well-deserved punishment but it was himself who was duly punished by the hypocrites who hid their corruption under priestly garments and ostentatious display of "holiness" for his temerity in attacking the reality of their Godlessness.
Jesus always challenges us. He is the perfection that Father, Son and Holy Spirit offer us as the example to which we should aspire. Sometimes his words themselves become the "hard sayings" collected by Bible-Scholars. The image of the "treasure" being found, but not revealed to the owner of the field, does not add to my concept of fair practice in business and if the treasure is himself, the Resurrection, the Word, the Kingdom of Heaven this becomes the hardest of all "hard sayings".
There is nothing in scripture, however, that we should avoid or ignore.
Dear Lord, help me to find the truth in all your "sayings" and deeds recorded in the Bible. Let me access the meanings which may be hidden among the words. Let my mind be open to receive the completed will of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Help those who are always preaching their own version of the morality which should rule our life on Earth lose their self -love with which they re-hammer the nails into your hands and feet.
May my prayers join with those of all the faithful to counteract the influence of the World within your Church which has sullied you foundation since Apostolic times. They are much interested in the "signs of the times" but your cross is the sign for all times and the teaching, life and death of Jesus is our never changing road-map to your Eternal Glory. Let my prayers open my heart to receive your grace and pardon here on earth as do the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Amen