November 18, 2013 Fifth Reading in Jeremiah Prophet to the Nations – Divergent Paths: Jeremiah 4:1-10, especially vss. 1-2: “If Israel returns to Me. . . . and swears that the Lord lives with truth, judgment, and righteousness, then the Gentiles shall . . . praise God in Jerusalem.” Historical insight, the sign of a true prophet of God, is evident in Jeremiah. He is so sensitive to the mind of the Lord that he accurately perceives the likely outcomes of the conditions in his society. The God-inspired Jeremiah knows that the policies and practices of his native Judah are leading the nation toward danger and destruction in the near future. Either they choose to bless the nations around them (vs. 2) – or else the sword of the pagan invaders will be pointed at their very souls (vs. 10). Jeremiah sees the choices clearly; let us consider the relevance of his inspired revelations for our own times. Earlier in his prophecies, Jeremiah declares there is but one path for returning to the Lord: heartfelt repentance (vss. 3:19-25). In the present verses he once again emphasizes that true return to God must come from a pure heart: “Circumcise yourselves to God, all you men of Judah and those dwelling in Jerusalem, and circumcise the hardness of your heart” (vs. 4:4). No relationship with God can thrive on the basis of mere formalities. We must mean what we say to the Lord before whom we bow and sing praises. God assays our truthfulness. Do we honestly “[put] away abominations from [our] mouth, and [fear His] presence” (vs. 1)? Our Lord measures candor against “truth, judgment, and righteousness” (vs. 2). If we let Christ evaluate these virtues in us, searching out our hidden thoughts, how will He find our words and actions? Fair, true, and honest? The Ten Commandments are searchlights that expose the buried dreams and desires that still beckon to us. So are the Beatitudes: poverty of spirit, grief for sins, Christ-like meekness, hunger and thirst for honest mercy and purity that flows from cleansed hearts, peacemaking, and joy that defies invitations to forego truth, justice, and honesty. God measures stringently, but He is neither unfair, unrealistic, nor inhumane. As the Church – Christ’s Body – we are to strive to live truly, fairly, and honestly with one another, since we are always accountable to our Master. The record shows that when the Church acts in this manner the results glorify God. If we strive for His saving mind to be in us (Php 2:5), then the nations of the earth will be blessed. Have you seen what happens when a community does not obey Christ but chooses to “sow among thorns” (Jer 4:3)? Let us struggle to cleanse our hearts, words, and behavior, lest the dire consequences Jeremiah describes come upon us! Our best practices are necessary to prevent calamities in our parishes, cities, and nations. Make no mistake: “The lion has come up from his den, and the destroyer of nations has arisen. He has come forth from his place to make the land desolate” (vs. 7). Living under the Old Covenant, the prophet begs his fellow-believers to circumcise “the hardness of your heart” (vs. 4). In Christ, our choices likewise should be made from cleansed hearts, keeping God’s covenant truly, fairly, and honestly. Let no dark visions turn us into false Christians who play by the rules of “evil practices” (vs. 4). Let us learn from God’s ancient people that the Lord does not negotiate. When we embrace false prophets, trust in sweet delusions, or pursue sullied desires, He allows “disaster . . . and great destruction” (vs. 6). He longs for us to choose the life-giving path: the road home to Him and the way of “truth, judgment, and righteousness” (vs. 2). O Lord, collect the scattered, and turn us all from wandering astray, and unite us to Thy holy, catholic and apostolic Church, mindful of those who love us and those who hate us. – Anaphora of the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 03:37:13 +0000
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