There is a rich banquet of images, words and thoughts offered us in the Scripture Readings of today’s liturgy.
Jeremiah starts by saying he has been duped by the Lord and it has rendered him a laughing stock among the people.
Why?
Because he has to prophesy violence and coming destruction for his people!
But, he says, if I don’t speak, I cannot endure the fire burning in my heart.
A tough mission for Jeremiah! But peace only comes by being true to what is asked of him.
The Second Reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans speaks of an inner transformation that helps us discern the will of God in our lives, bringing us a wonderful sense of wellbeing.
Something worth thinking about! But how to do that? Paul doesn’t tell us how.
In the Gospel Reading, Peter takes Jesus to task for talking about suffering and rejection awaiting him in Jerusalem.
Jesus doesn’t take kindly to Peter’s interjection and tells him in no uncertain terms what he thinks of Peter.
Then Jesus goes on to speak of the cost plus the blessing that comes from being a true followers of him: The cost being accepting the cross in one’s life as a follower of Jesus, and the blessing being finding the true meaning and purpose of one’s life, like finding the pearl of great price.
What to do with the exciting challenge of these readings? Where can one go?
Let me just quote the words of the Alleluia verse:
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.
There we have it!
Enlighten the eyes of our hearts! That inner vision that will always tells us the truth, that will guide us along the right path.
Something that the Little Prince in Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s little tale tells us?
“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Conclusion:
Dwell upon those words of the Alleluia verse. May those words become our prayer, so simple and direct! The hope within our call!
The hope that will nourish us, enlighten us, affirm us when the going is tough, and assure us of the gift and grace within our lives.