Word to the Wise
Monday, July 26, 2010 - Sts. Joachim and Ann - parents of Mary
[Jeremiah 13:1-11 and Matthew 13:31-35]The Lord said to me: God buy yourself a linen loincloth; wear it on your loins, but do not put it in water........
There are many colorful or poetic images used in the scriptures to describe the relationship between God and humanity, especially Israel. There are images of spouse, parent, friend, potter, vine dresser, shepherd. But UNDERWEAR????? Yes, that's the image in Jeremiah today! Read the whole thing! God says, For as close as the loincloth clings to a man's loins, so had I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, says the Lord; to be my people, my renouwn, my praise, my beauty. But they did not listen. Jeremiah has to go and buy a loincloth, wear it and then hide it in the rocks outside till it rots. God uses this image to describe the state of affairs between God and the Chosen People! Our cultural sensitivities might be offended at first, but then we might take a look at many of the ads in the newspapers that concern underwear before we get too indignant! God's way of portraying the relationship may seem inappropriate to us but it's hard to escape the power of the image! (And who are we to tell God what images to use!) Although next time we get rid of worn-out underwear or socks, I'm not sure we'll remember the image and wonder about our relationship with God, but at this moment, it's hard to escape! Intimacy can be portrayed in many ways. Today's image "jars" but it does make the point! AMEN
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