Are You Open To The Message Of God?

Saturday of the 4th week of Lent

Jeremiah 11:18-20
John 7:40-52

How many dangers beset us which we fail to recognise! Jeremiah had no perception of his peril until “the Lord gave him knowledge of it” Here the people of Jeremiah’s hometown, his own kin, plot against him (see also verse 21), causing Jeremiah to cry out to Yahweh with a rîb, a formal complaint or lawsuit, asking why God seems to bless the wicked so that they prosper, while the righteous (namely, Jeremiah and other prophets ) suffer (12:1-4).

The startling answer given to Jeremiah is that the suffering he has endured up to this point is as nothing compared to the troubles that await him (12:5-6). But there is more to the answer than this stern warning, for Yahweh continues on by describing his own personal sorrow at the condition of his people.

So hardened are they toward him that he has no choice but to destroy them. But while Yahweh is enraged toward his inheritance, which has turned on him, he is heartbroken at the fact that he must now forsake the love of his life (12:7-13). Herein an answer to Jeremiah’s complaint emerges.

Jeremiah’s fate is tied to that of the people; their suffering will also be his suffering. But this same suffering will be felt by Yahweh, whose pain is even greater due to the heart-wrenching fact that he himself must inflict the blows to his beloved children.

Today’s psalm contains the prayer of trust and confidence in God. It also reveals the ordeal of one who was persecuted or about to be killed unjustly; however, with unwavering faith, places in trust in the Lord and seeks refuge in Him.

This is a major theme in all the readings just as Isaiah describes the Messiah to be a suffering servant; a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief. Surely he took our pain and bore our suffering Isaiah 53.3-4.

In today’s gospel, the Pharisees are plotting how to persecute Jesus. Christ knew already his mission,that is, He is destined to suffer and to be rejected by the chief priests and elders and be killed but he will rise up on the third day. Jesus being God knew of all these impending evil plans and the plot to destroy him.

Now as he was teaching them some people eventually believe in Jesus, while others want to arrest him. But no one can touch him because his hour had not yet come. The Pharisees hear about those who are beginning to believe in him. They get frustrated. They send officers to arrest him. And Jesus doesn’t panic. 

The police went back and reported that they have never seen anyone who spoke like him. Yes Jesus is the Word Incarnate. He knows our hearts and he want us to accept Him as our personal Lord and Master. When we do this, the Holy Spirit will makes us know, love and serve Jesus without turning back. He is the author and interpreter of the sacred scriptures and he will teach us the way of righteousness.

PRAYER

Imprint in my heart, O Merciful God, Your statutes and fill me with the grace of obedience to all Your commands that I may be free from sin and death and come to live in love with You and my neighbors. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr Joseph Osho