Yesterday, we heard from the prophet Isaiah about the hypocrisy of the people, how repentance involves more than words, but acts of service and charity. It is perhaps such hypocrisy in the lives of the people that led them to criticize and attach Jeremiah in the first reading today. The people plotted against Jeremiah because the harsh message he brought made them uncomfortable and angry. They wanted to get rid of Jeremiah, whom they saw as a trouble-maker. Yet, they did not realize that getting rid of Jeremiah would not solve their problems. Jeremiah was just the messenger of the message that God had for his unrepentant people. Other prophets and messages would be summoned by God to bring a similar message. Out of his despair, Jeremiah wonders: Is even returned for good? How can the Lord allow this to happen to me. Here I am, trying to shake the people out of their complacency. Is this the reward I get? People trying to attack me and do me harm? I think that many people think that if they become a disciples of Christ and follow the will of God, that most of their problems will be solved, that life will be easier. But, truth be told, being a disciple of Christ sometimes makes for a much more difficult life. God meets us on our journey and in our reality, no matter what that reality may be. We may sometimes feel attacked or feel isolated for trying to live out the values of our faith. If we live a bland, uninspired life of faith, perhaps people will not attack us and leave us alone. But that is what God is not calling us to do. God will be there with us on our journey. However, many times that journey may be a very rocky road.
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