30 August 2026 #paradox
Today’s readings are all over the paradox of Christianity: speaking the truth and/or living the faith out loud here on earth garners mostly heavenly rewards. And these rewards are unseen, unknown, and generally live beyond our imagination [think Paul’s letter to the good people of Corinth: “But, as it is written, What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.”].
A couple of things here. First, you gotta love Jeremiah. The poor guy. Pulled up from solitude and anonymity, he’s tasked by God to preach repentance in a very wealthy, albeit immoral, town. The religious leadership is not impressed nor willing to change their behaviors; he’s publicly humiliated by being placed in a stockade at a well-traveled gate. Eventually he’s released but remains very upset and downright angry with his captor/taunter, telling Pashur that he and his family and friends will soon head into exile at the hands of the Babylonians. Jeremiah seems really excited about this prospect, although I admit I might be reading something into the text that isn’t there. But I think not, because in our reading today…
Jeremiah is furious with God too.
Life isn’t going the way he thought it would go, once he acquiesced to the Lord’s request. You see, way back at the beginning of his journey, Jeremiah tried to dissuade the Lord from choosing him. He was just a youth and had no public speaking skills. But the Lord convinced him that the Lord himself would put the necessary words in Jeremiah’s mouth, so all would be well. Kind of… maybe. The Lord didn’t actually promise Jeremiah that all would go well, truth be told. I think Jeremiah just assumes that since he is a prophet, everyone would stop what they were doing and repent. Like Jonah preaching to Ninevah, yes? Alas. Jeremiah is mocked, derided, reproached, and left for dead.
St. Paul receives the same treatment, remember. Right now, as he pens these words to the good people of Rome, Paul has also been mocked, derided and reproached… and jailed, beaten, and left for dead. Soon after this letter is delivered, he will find himself on a ship, in chains, bound for Rome, where he will await his martyrdom via beheading. Like Jeremiah he will be led to a stockade of sorts, but unlike Jeremiah, a blade will fall. I am pretty sure Saul-renamed-Paul had no idea of the road before him when he encountered the Lord on his way to Damascus.
I don’t think any of us do, really.
I mean, why would anyone not want a life with God? Kindness is better than cruelty. Honesty outweighs lying and cheating. Monogamy is more honorable than polygamy/adultery. Love is far superior to hate. So why would anyone reject that way of life? That’s the struggle and frustration that Paul and Jeremiah both have when it comes right down to it.
That’s the paradox that Jesus addresses today. It’s far more meaningful now in our narcissistic, me-centered, you-do-you, trust-no-one, relativistic culture. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, and however I want to do it… without repercussions. It seems like that view would be cool, self-gratifying, and all-around amazing. Live life to the fullest extent possible, you know. Experience all the world has to offer. But Jesus knows that’s a hollow life. Unsatisfying in the bitter end.
But a life in Christ? Ahhh, now that’s the real adventure. And the only one worth dying for. #paradox