Jeremiah 2:4-13, Pentecost 12C,
Theme: Self-Examination
Night is a 1960 memoir by Elie Wiesel based on his Holocaust experiences with his father in the Nazi concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald in 1944–1945, toward the end of the Second in Europe. In just over 100 pages of sparse and fragmented narrative, Wiesel writes about the death of God and his own increasing disgust with humanity, reflected in the inversion of the parent–child relationship as his father deteriorates to a helpless state and Wiesel becomes his resentful, teenage caregiver. "If only I could get rid of this dead weight ... Immediately I felt ashamed of myself, ashamed forever." In Night everything is inverted, every value destroyed. "Here there are no fathers, no brothers, no friends", a guard tells him. "Everyone lives and dies for himself alone."[2]
The book describes a view of a terrible experience by a Jewish teen in the midst of what he felt was a Godless time. He is only one of many who lost their faith during that horrible time in human history.
In the Jeramiah text for this Sunday, we find a similar reference to his own time. He records God as saying, “The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit.” In other words, the priests of the temple were not even speaking in God’s name.
The question remains even today. Jeramiah seems to tell us we should be “appalled,” “shocked” or even feel “desolate” about many of the godless practices we witness happening around us daily.
Perhaps there is a need for a “wakeup call.” Maybe we do need to express outrage about what we see. Yes, we can argue endlessly about what we think is sinful and what is not, but most of us agree there is too much violence and injustice in our world today. There are too many shootings. There are too many homeless. There are too many perversions in our streets, on our TV’s and phones. There is an over emphasis on the role sexuality plays in society.
I am sure most of us can add many more specific items to the list of perversions we experience. At the risk of sounding too prudish, perhaps it is time to express outrage about these practices.
The prophet is reminding us that God is outraged as well and calling us to react.
1. Perhaps we should be ashamed of our own perverse feelings which invade our consciousness.
2. We need to realize that God knows our innermost feelings.
3. We must realize God will forgive and receive our earnest confessions.
4. We recognize God has an ongoing gift of new life for us.
An important note here. The new life God gives us is not of this world. It possible a new sense of purpose might drive us to new accomplishments, but the gift God gives us is an eternal one.
Worship with us in person at 10:30 AM as we will be meditating on God’s gift of new life. The service will also be streamed live on the internet -- (https://fccmaryvillemo.com) or on the church’s home Facebook page. If you miss the live stream, a recorded session is also available to view at your convenience. Want to make a comment on my blog? Click on https://fccmaryvillemosanc.wixsite.com/ftdo