Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary
When we feel an attachment to a group it can be so hard to hear someone speak truthfully about its issues and flaws. In our own recent history it is easy for people to appeal to patriotism as why you can’t say anything criticizing America. Or a room can get uncomfortably silent if you speak about issues that the Church needs to work out. These examples could go on and on, but I think they relate to our reading from Jeremiah today.
We are told that Jeremiah, “Prophesied against this city” and so the people wanted to put him to death. Now what he did was prophecy, which means he was speaking the truth. He was speaking for the Lord. He was not sharing his criticisms to just be a Debbie Downer. It is also important to note that Jeremiah isn’t doing this out of hatred for the city, but out of love. He is speaking the truth because he is more concerned with what this city is supposed to be and to stand for, than how it is perceived. Finally, the people, when they want to kill Jeremiah seem more interested in defending the city’s reputation, not defending the city and themselves from the errors of their own ways.
First, I think through Jeremiah, the Lord is telling us to keep our hearts open to the truth. And to be open to when and where we need to share it, even if it is difficult. This is certainly not a license to share unkind truths just because they are true. If that was the point, the Seal of the Confessional wouldn’t exist.
Second, if we are called to share truths that are difficult to hear, we need to make sure we are doing it in love and out of love. I love the Church which is why I am concerned about how well she is doing in her mission. But it is so easy for me to turn a blind eye to the Church’s failings and instead criticize a group I don’t like, because I don’t have the same love for them. If you struggle with this too, that is one of the beautiful and genius things about confession. If in my own authentic love for myself and can be honest about where my sin is and not lie to myself that I’m just peachy; then speaking truth in love and from love becomes more realistic.
Third, when we hear someone speaking as Jeremiah did, we have the obligation to stop and listen. To “test all things and retain what is good.” Does this mean that every criticism is prophecy? No. But we need to be open to hearing God calling us back to the mission and purpose that He desires. Then, we might be able to do as the people did with Jeremiah. They repented, accepted his prophecy, and did not put him to death. For through his love, his willingness to hand his life over to them, their hearts seemed to be open to truth.
So, are we open to the truth and do we find ourselves really trying to call one another to be better? Or do we prefer to criticize because it makes me look good and feel better about myself?
When we do share the truth, do we share it out of love for God who is Truth and from a love for our neighbor who needs it just as much as I do? Or do we share truths because we feel justified in sharing unkind things because “Hey, it’s true”? When we are confronted with difficult truths, are our hearts open to hearing them? Or are we more concerned with reputation and perception, and not God’s purpose and desire?
I know I have a lot of work to do in this regard and if you do too, then I pray the Lord changes our hearts and our lives to be conduits of His love and truth to the world.
-Spencer Hargadon