Of all the characters we encounter in the Bible, no one is more emotionally distraught and fully expressive than the prophet Jeremiah. No one had to endure more distressing circumstances. A battle raged all around him. The nation was on the verge of catastrophic defeat, which only he foresaw. He called for absolute allegiance to the God of Israel. For doing so he was condemned as a traitor, accused of providing aid and comfort to the enemy.
In the gospel, Jesus will send his apostles into conflict, much like what Jeremiah was forced to endure.
In our second reading, St Paul draws his famous contrast between the first Adam, the first man created by God in Genesis and Jesus, the second Adam in Paul’s theological terminology. The argument is intricate, but the point is clear. Jesus Christ is the source of all grace, the generous gift of God’s love to us.
—Walter Modrys SJ
This Sunday’s readings can be found on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website.
believe. teach. practice. 