Pastor's Message

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Like Jeremiah, may we forever trust in God Like Jeremiah, may we forever trust in God.

The 1st Reading, today, opens with the laments of Prophet Jeremiah; “I hear many, whispering; 'Terror is all around me!’ Denounce him, they say! Let us denounce him!” “All my close friends are watching for me to stumble.” “Perhaps he can be enticed, and we can prevail against him, and take revenge on him.” (Jer. 20:10)

Jeremiah lived during very trying times! Historically the great Assyrian Empire was declining rapidly and the Babylonian were emerging fast. The change of guards was bound to happen, meaning, small Nations like Judah, had to tread very carefully and prudently.

Israel, was supposed to be a Theocracy, a Kingdom with God as its only King thus they were supposed to be depended in God alone for their protection. King Zedekiah, however decided to trust in Man. He chose Human alliance for protection, aligning himself with others nations against Babylon.

This alliance lost and this became a major problem for Israel. They had believed that Yahweh, their God was strong enough to defend them, regardless! Their defeat meant that, the gods of their conquers could be trusted too; They worshipped Baal, the god of fertility and good weather! Israel even built high Altars for this Idol and some even offered their children as burned sacrifices.

It was the Mission of Jeremiah to point out and denounce the sin of Israel and it was his Mission to warn them of worse impending consequences. Jeremiah, prophesied famine for Judah, and the imminent destruction of their Capital, its people uprooted and taken captives in foreign lands!

These proclamations of Jeremiah did not sit well with his People; They prompted anger among them and Jeremiah was contradicted by the “Good Prophets;” the “False prophets” who predicted Prosperity and Peace.” The Temple Officials had Jeremiah beaten and even tried to kill him by throwing him into a well full of mud but was rescued by foreign traders

The laments we hear in the 1^st Reading express the difficulties Prophets encounter for speaking the word of Truth. It also expresses Jeremiah's regrets. Jeremiah turned and blamed God accusing him for not keeping his promise to him; “You dubbed me, O Lord, and I let myself be dubbed; you were too strong for me and you triumphed.”

Jeremiah threatened to abandon his ministry! He, in his anguish revealed the dilemma of a Prophet; the impossibility of a running away from the Truth revealed by God. He laments;

“I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then, it becomes like fire, burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones, I grow weary holding it in. I cannot not endure it.” (Jeremiah. 20:9)

Jeremiah, the Prophet of God, succeeded in his Prophetic Ministry, which extended over a period of more than 40 years. During this time, he grew in the knowledge of God and this led to his unshakable trust in Him; You hear him express this, towards the end of the reading first today;

“The Lord is with me like a mighty warrior therefore my persecutors will stumble and will not prevail. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonour will never be forgotten. (Jer. 20 11-12)

Trust in God is a call for every disciple of Christ. Jesus exults us in the Gospel Reading today, not to be afraid. He then explains the reason why we are to exult: We are invaluable in the Eyes of God; “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?” He questions us, “Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many Sparrows.” (Mt. 10:29-30)

Let us Trust in the Lord. Let us abandon ourselves into his hands and we will be victorious in Christ Jesus.”

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