Readings:
Jeremiah 14-16
Sirach 44-45

Jeremiah 14-16

There’s a severe drought in the land and Jeremiah can’t help but to call out to God, but he’s told not to intercede for these people because they are going to be punished. Yes, God has promised a restoration and coming salvation, but the chastisement comes first.

God gives them almost an impossible choice, they’re going to all suffer through a great trial and tribulation, but some by the sword, some by disease and some by captivity. He laments that he’s chastised them for generations to turn them back but nothing has gotten them to abandon wickedness, so no he’s forced to take this drastic measure. As a father myself, who’s had to punish and chastise his own children to correct bad behavior, I can feel his sadness and frustration that the prophet is conveying to us here. God is a good father, and does not take pleasure in his children suffering at all, but also as a good father he can’t sit by and allow destructive behavior to continue unabated and unchallenged.

In chapter 16 we see Jeremiah is called to a life of celibacy. Partly to allow complete dedication to his vocation as a prophet, but also partly as a mercy to spare him watching his wife and children suffer through the coming hurricane of pain and anguish that’s bearing down on Jerusalem. But even with all that, he still promises a coming time when they will be brought back like they were brought out of Egypt so many years ago.

Tomorrow’s Readings:
Jeremiah 17
Sirach 46
Nahum 1-3