Jeremiah 7:23-28
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Luke 11:14-23
In today's First Reading from the prophet Jeremiah, we hear the Lord describing the Israelites' stubbornness of heart. It is a gnawing reminder of our own tendency to ignore what the Lord has commanded, preferring instead our own sinful ways. What makes the transgressions of the Israelites so pitifully sad is that they knew the Lord, they saw His power and might ~ His saving, loving concern for them.
We could argue that we haven't seen or witnessed such wonders, but is that altogether true? Are we not the descendants of those who did see and knew the Lord? Isn't our Church, "One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic" ~ founded by Jesus as His sacred blood and water flowed from His wounded side? Shouldn't the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead be a sign of power and might beyond the phenomena experienced by the Israelites?
When did our hearts become so hardened that we can look upon the Cross of Christ and not wince in remembrance of the love that wrought so great a sacrifice?
May these weeks of Lent be an opportunity of increased love and faithfulness. May we meditate more on Christ's love for us, that we might remember to love more in return. And finally, O Lord, may I not be stubborn and hard of heart, but have a heart more like Yours.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Make my heart like unto Thine.
Father Ed Bakker,
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Launceston,Tasmania
Australia
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