In the first reading of today's liturgy, Jeremiah 26: 1-9, Jeremiah is asked to speak to "the people of all the cities of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord; whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing. Perhaps they will listen and turn back, each from his evil way,...." God's heart, I believe, cringes when you or I choose evil ways, when we make choices that are contrary to the will of God and that, therefore, deprive us of the peace, the joy, the harmony God wills for us or, worse, lead to disastrous, harmful ends. God does not will that for any of us. To spare us such misery or ongoing misery,because we have already chosen evil, God sends "Jeremiahs" to us or asks us to be a "Jeremiah" in the lives of others.
We know the greeting given Jeremiah. The people demanded that he be put to death. When we are the one challenging another to abandon an ill-chosen path or when we are being challenged concerning inappropriate behavior, the response may be unpleasant. Many times, we attempt to avoid conflict. So when God invites us to be a "Jeremiah," we may hide from Him. Or if God sends a "Jeremiah" to challenge us, we may respond belligerently, argumentatively, or aggressively, as did the people in the O.T.
My prayer: Lord, may each of us have the courage to co-operate with the grace of ongoing conversion, no matter who is the instrument you choose to bring us back to you. And, if you choose us to be that vehicle of grace in another person's life, may be rely on the power of the Spirit to guide us and strengthen us to be the one who speaks the truth that will set this person free, if the person is open. If not open, may be still do our part and surrender the outcome to You.
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