Jeremiah tends to be a pitiful character in the Old Testament. He is always in trouble with his fellowmen, mainly because they grow weary of the prophet’s call to repentance and how destruction awaits their beloved nation if they do not come clean. This weeping prophet was summoned by God to call the people to repentance in the event of an attack of higher and mightier forces of power, namely Assyria and Babylonia.
The three short verses we have in today’s first reading are full of similarities in the life of Jesus, particularly His Passion. First, there is revelation and insight. God reveals to Jeremiah the plot that the wicked men are planning to do with his life. He is given insight and revelation by the Lord that this is their doing. Jesus, too, was aware of His fate as the prophet.
Second, there is sacrifice. Jeremiah, similar to Jesus, is considered the lamb to be slaughtered. He was to be cut off from the land of the living so his name will be remembered no more. Jesus is the lamb that was led to the slaughterhouse. In fact, as tradition tells us, when Jesus carried the cross, it was the same time that the lambs were led to the slaughterhouse to be killed for the sacred offerings.
Third, there is trust. Jeremiah, in the face of his death, places his whole trust in the Lord. He commits his cause to the Lord, fully trusting and loving the Lord in all his days. His heart and mind are at rest because he believes that the Lord is the righteous one. Jesus, as He dies on the cross, also commends His life to God in His dying hours: “Into Your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.” He has acted righteously in all His ways and entrusted everything into the hands of the Lord.
In just a few short verses, we have quite a comprehensive meditation as we continue to journey through the Lenten period with our eyes on the Lord.Fr. Brian Steele, MGL
Reflection Question:
When people are up against me or circumstances test my faith, do I willingly place my trust in the Lord?
Lord, I place my trust in You. Reveal to me Your will and help me to be obedient as Jesus and Jeremiah were in their lives. Amen.
St. Hedda, pray for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment