Thursday, October 24, 2013

 Today’s text

Jeremiah 31:33-34

No, this is the covenant I shall make with the House of Israel when those days have come, Yahweh declares. Within them I shall plant my Law, writing it on their hearts. Then I shall be their God and they will be my people. There will be no further need for everyone to teach neighbor or brother, saying, "Learn to know Yahweh!" No, they will all know me, from the least to the greatest, Yahweh declares, since I shall forgive their guilt and never more call their sin to mind.'

Reflection

To a people in despair, to a nation defeated, to those who dwelt in the darkness of endless exile--because they screwed up, the prophet speaks of a day far in the future, so far in the future no can see or imagine it … but him. And he wonders if he is seeing an illusion that can never happen.

But it does happen, and when it does the people will all know who God is. No one will bother to tell their neighbor who God is or what God is doing. It will be obvious.

But what will they know? Who will they say God is?

God is the One who works behind the scenes of history, in the details of what is happening to bring life out of death, restoration out of destruction, morning light from darkest night.

That is who God is, unimaginable, unpredictable, silent as light but always bringing life and newness from their opposite.

That makes us people of hope because this newness is entirely God’s doing. We don’t bring it about. It is not dependent upon our resources or actions. Newness appears, morning comes, life is reborn from destruction for one reason only: Because God is God, and this is what God does and who God is.

When we see it, wherever we see it we know who God is … even if we don’t much believe or think about God. Doesn’t matter. God is always being God whether we pay attention or not.

But it is better to keep your eyes open and pay attention. For then, you get see and celebrate the light of morning when it first appears on the horizon.

Pr. David L. Miller