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"Perhaps they will listen and turn back". It almost seems as if God doubts whether the people would listen to the prophet Jeremiah or not. But God is omniscient and surely cannot doubt? However, we may say that God's words reflect more the reality He sees in Israel rather than any of His own attributes. Put simply, these words are more about Israel - and by extension about the whole human race - about God himself. God's offer of grace is endless and insistent but God never imposes. God has given us the freedom to respond to Him in love, eventually even in unconditional love. Yet so often human beings abuse that freedom and turn way from God.
Jeremiah suffered much because of his ministry. He was threatened we read today by "the priests, the prophets and all the people". Though he was a rather reluctant prophet, in the midst of all his sufferings he nevertheless remained faithful in word and in deed.
Jesus called upon us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. Let us follow His teaching and so turn the words of today's Alleluia verse into a prayer:
Lord, grant us the grace to be faithful in all our words and holy in all our deeds.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That all those who are able to benefit from a holiday period may be helped during their vacation to rediscover in God their inner harmony and to open themselves to the love of human beings.
Elaboration
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