November 22nd - Reflection

Jeremiah 46:18-28 (NRSV)
God will save Israel

As I live, says the King,
whose name is the Lord of hosts,
one is coming
like Tabor among the mountains,
and like Carmel by the sea.
Pack your bags for exile,
sheltered daughter Egypt!
For Memphis shall become a waste,
a ruin, without inhabitant.

A beautiful heifer is Egypt -
a gadfly from the north lights upon her.
Even her mercenaries in her midst
are like fatted calves;
they too have turned and fled together,
they did not stand;
for the day of their calamity has come upon them,
the time of their punishment.

She makes a sound like a snake gliding away;
for her enemies march in force,
and come against her with axes,
like those who fell trees.
They shall cut down her forest,

says the Lord,
though it is impenetrable,
because they are more numerous
than locusts;
they are without number.
Daughter Egypt shall be put to shame;
she shall be handed over to a people from the north.

The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, said: See, I am bringing punishment upon Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh, and Egypt and her gods and her kings, upon Pharaoh and those who trust in him. I will hand them over to those who seek their life, to King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon and his officers. Afterward Egypt shall be inhabited as in the days of old, says the Lord.

But as for you, have no fear, my servant Jacob,
and do not be dismayed, O Israel;
for I am going to save you from far away,
and your offspring from the land of their captivity.
Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease,
and no one shall make him afraid.
As for you, have no fear, my servant Jacob,

says the Lord,
for I am with you.
I will make an end of all the nations
among which I have banished you,
but I will not make an end of you!
I will chastise you in just measure,
and I will by no means leave you unpunished.

Reflection
Make peace with God! For God is the creator, redeemer and the One who sanctifies all people. Make peace with God! As prophets of old cry out to the leaders of the day. Make peace with God!

Now hear the words of comfort. In peace with God, God will not make an end of you. Sure, I can expect to suffer the consequence of the pain my sin causes those I love, but God will not make an end of me. As I turn to God in repentance and love, God welcomes me and guides me and forgives me and gifts me to continue life.

Make peace with God! Hear it for yourself. Hear it all nations.

Prayer
Lord, as I reflect on the words of the prophet Jeremiah, show me my sin. Permit me to smell the stench of my sin that I may turn back to you and make peace. --- Amen