Sixteenth Sunday - 2018

In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, Israel was descending into a time of crisis, their leadership has failed, their institutions are collapsing, people are scattering far and wide. But all is not lost – there is a plan, and the prophet has been sent with God’s word to announce this plan – God will not allow his people to be destroyed. We are witnessing today the Christian faith facing a time of trial, with plenty of blame to go around. So is there a prophet like Jeremiah for this age, a prophesy announcing a divine plan to save the faith? There is, and in today’s gospel there is a beautiful picture of that One, and of the plan at work. The plan is a person. His name is Lord, the Lord who makes things right and true. His name is Jesus. We have a lot of things that need fixing, as individuals, as families, as groups, as churches, as political entities. And the fixing starts when people realize that the first thing that needs fixing is our relationship with him who is God’s plan for us, Jesus. The people we see along the shore pictured in today’s in gospel must become us; the seekers of this generation. Look for a moment at the beautiful imagery we see in today’s gospel passage and how it is to represents us. o   The sea that is the deep waters of our failings. o   The boat which is called evangelization, the instrument able to navigate the waves of our confusion. o   Its mast forming the shape of a glorious cross. o   Its sail full blown, driven by the mighty wind of the Holy Spirit. o   And Jesus coming ashore, not in judgement but full of compassion for us gathered waiting, searching. o   And now Jesus himself beginning to teach us many things; the very things we must learn from him personally, if we are to be restored and healed of our brokenness. People are even now gather at that shore. Let us get up and go to join them.

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