Word to the Wise
Wednesday, July 23, 2014 - Wednesday in the 16th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jer 1:1, 4-10 and Matt 13:1-9]The word of the Lord came to me thus: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. "Ah, Lord God!" I said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young." But the Lord answered me, Say not, "I am too young." To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord. Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying, See, I place my words in your mouth! [Jer.]
After reading these words of Jeremiah about his "call" to be a prophet, take a few moments to read passages like 7:1-7, or 8:18-23, or even more dramatically, 20:7-18! We will be hearing a lot from Jeremiah in the next few days! He is one of the most personal and dramatic of the prophets. His very name has entered the English language in the term; "jeremiad," - a bitter lament or prophecy of doom! Like Amos, he is a most "reluctant" prophet. And no wonder....God makes some very difficult demands of him! Eventually he would be thrown in a well, among other sufferings!
We all know people who seem to enjoy bringing "bad tidings!" Most of us would not! Jeremiah bitterly resents having to do it even as he sees the necessity. His relationship to God is like a compelling force that sends him to public places to make startling gestures like smashing a pot or warning people that the temple building will not protect them from their sins! I dare say most of us would shrink from anything like what Jeremiah is called to do. Yet, I think we might feel the necessity to speak up if the matter concerns one of our children or a close relative. There are so many "what if's" that could challenge us to speak as a matter of religious faith. We can get pretty emotional and "worked up" about politics. Is our faith important enough to get "worked up?" Are we afraid of being dismissed as "religious fanatics?"
We may not feel as if the Lord has put "words in our mouths," but if we are mercifully faithful, we can compel attention. I think Pope Francis has given us a good example in our own time. But his example goes back to the best example: Jesus Christ. Christian faith is essentially a prophetic faith that calls the world to conversion. Yes, we have to start with ourselves, but then we have to share that message with others [Jer. 20:7-18] The Lord will be with us to deliver us! AMEN