Readings:
Jeremiah 5
Sirach 37
1 Peter 5

Jeremiah 5

Another oracle from God through the mouth of Jeremiah. This time he’s continuing the message of Israel and Judah’s infidelity, but with a twist. He strips away the argument of ignorance and repeatedly shows that the people didn’t sin unknowingly, they did so with full knowledge. They were told over and over not to worship the gods of the nations around them, but they ignored these warnings and did as they pleased. Now the consequences will be severe.

1 Peter 5

In the final chapter of this letter, Peter first addresses his fellow clergymen in these churches. He urges them to be good shepherds and Christ is the good shepherd, and to guard and instruct the sheep under their care. The shepherd guides and feeds, he cares and leads, he doesn’t take advantage for his own gain or to buy a yacht (in modern terms).

He then addresses the parishioners and encourages them to place themselves willingly into the care of the church, to humbly submit to the authorities installed by God to guide and govern and lead into truth. H

e tells them to be anxious about nothing, because God will provide.

Divine providence consists of the dispositions by which God guides all his creatures with wisdom and love to their ultimate end.

CCC 321

Christ invites us to filial trust in the providence of our heavenly Father (cf. Mt 6:26-34), and St. Peter the apostle repeats: “Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you” (I Pt 5:7; cf. Ps 55:23).

CCC 322

Tomorrow’s Readings:
Jeremiah 6-8
Sirach 38