http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080412.cfm
This passage from Jeremiah sounds familiar to anyone who has attended Palm Sunday Mass or the Good Friday Service. The Evangelists borrowed heavily from the writings and story of Jeremiah to describe the trial and death of Jesus. Indeed, Christian tradition regards Jeremiah as the most Christ-like of the prophets.
The role of the prophet is not an easy one, but we should not adorn it with heroic/romantic trappings. Many people take untenable positions and claim they are prophets. I think of creationists with their peculiar interpretation of Scripture. Not only do they deny that they interpret the Bible -- which is like saying ' I read without reading.' -- but they use weird science to back up their unscientific conclusions. That's not prophetic; that's just ridiculous.
Jeremiah the Prophet said what everyone could see but few would acknowledge, the city was doomed. It would be taken by the Babylonian army. There was nothing illogical or counter-intuitive about it. Understandably, the unfortunate citizens, struggling to save their families, possessions and way of life from utter destruction, could not abide his pronouncements. (In fact, the English word jeremiad means "a doomsday saying.")
Worse, Jeremiah declared this doom was God's punishment for their sins. If they had only listened to God's prophets, purified the city and the countryside of all pagan worship, cared for the widows, orphans and homeless aliens, this would not have happened. Jeremiah saw a direct link between the sins of the people and their hopeless military position. Most of them could not see that at all.
A prophet in America today would encounter the same obtuseness. But many religious people, even if they see the problems America is suffering, will deny their own responsibility for it. They don't suppose their consumption, their waste, the political candidates they support or their refusal to vote has moral dimensions or moral consequences. Morality to them is "make nice." So long as they are polite and don't flagrantly break any laws they're okay with God. The citizens of ancient Jerusalem surely thought the same way, as did the mob in the same city who crucified Jesus.
The Gospel tells us we are sinners. We must hear that word, change our ways or face the consequences.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.