Upcoming Sunday Old Testament Readings
Sunday 3 September 2017
Jeremiah 15:15-21
O Lord, you know; remember me and visit me, and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance do not take me away; know that on your account I suffer insult. Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; under the weight of your hand I sat alone, for you had filled me with indignation. Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail. Therefore, thus says the Lord: If you turn back, I will take you back, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth. It is they who will turn to you, not you who will turn to them. And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the Lord. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
–––––––––––– –––––––––––– –––––––––––– –––––––––––– ––––––––––––
This reading begins in such a way that it is hard to read. This is a lament. Perhaps the ones who can best hear this are those who are in such a dark spot where the prophet is found, where lamentation flows easy. For those in lament especially, there is a need to hear the promise that is missed if we get so caught up in the lament of another that we tune out and fail to finish reading the text before us. In response to the lament, God promises steadfast divine faithfulness that overcomes all the roots of lament and gives hope that allows one to go from lament to faithfulness, often kicking and screaming. But if we are not in that dark place, this reading perhaps is not one we can bear.
–––––––––––– –––––––––––– –––––––––––– –––––––––––– ––––––––––––
Father Timothy Alleman
No comments:
Post a Comment