God’s Mercy

This chapter in the book of Wisdom is full of straightforward and down to earth insight on God’s mercy.

Passage (Wisdom 11: 24 – 26):

For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned. And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you? But you spare all things, because they are yours, O LORD and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things!

Jeremiah

Reflection:

As our Catholic faith teaches that at baptism we share in Christ’s threefold office of priest, prophet, and king. Therefore the words spoken to the prophet Jeremiah are the same words Christ speaks to us at baptism. Jesus reminds us that He knew us before we were born since He formed us in our mother’s womb. The mission or purpose of our lives was determined by the Lord before we were born and that mission will continue throughout our entire lives. However, when we view the life of Jeremiah we may consider ourselves as not fit for the job the Lord has for us but this can’t be further from the truth given the initial response Jeremiah had to the Lord “I know not how to speak; I am too young.” Thus, we must view Jeremiah as a tangible example of what the Lord requires of us and of what is achievable for our lives.

Reading (Jeremiah 1: 1, 4 – 10):

The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, of a priestly family in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin.

The word of the LORD came to me thus:

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. “Ah, Lord GOD!” I said, I know not how to speak; I am too young.”

But the LORD answered me, Say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go;
whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.

Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying,

See, I place my words in your mouth! This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms,
To root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.

Lord requires …

Reflection:

Today’s first reading contains a great short phrase that summarizes the Christian life. These kinds of passages are beneficial to memorize since they are concise and to the point. The passage states the three essentials the Lord requires of His followers. We are called to follow His commandments in our thoughts and actions. However, following His commandments is not supposed to be some grudge or drain on our lives because must “love” goodness. In the same way no father is happy with his teenage son who only follows his rules out of obligation but rather the father is trying to build character and virtue in his son. The son that personally desires maturing and growing in virtue is the son that personally loves goodness. As we go about do the right and loving goodness, the final requirement listed in Micah cautions us to always remain humble so we can share the gospel with others and avoid pride which is the devil’s tactic to trip up those self-righteous.

Reading (Micah 6: 1 – 4, 6- 8):

Hear what the LORD says: Arise, present your plea before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice! Hear, O mountains, the plea of the LORD, pay attention, O foundations of the earth! For the LORD has a plea against his people, and he enters into trial with Israel.

O my people, what have I done to you, or how have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, from the place of slavery I released you; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow before God most high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriad streams of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my crime, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.