God gives us as shepherds– Jer 3:14-17

Friday of the 16th week of Ordinary Time; St. Joseph parish.  [I'm leaving St. Joe this weekend, so there might be a two week break rather than a one week break between posts until I get in to a rhythm at Old College.]

The book of Jeremiah is disaster literature.  Jeremiah’s Jerusalem was besieged and destroyed by the Babylonians and the People were exiled from the Land God had promised.  The disaster was theological, political and physical all at once.  In the midst of this, Jeremiah offers words from God.  He does not bring promise of warriors, or kings, or even builders.  He promises shepherds: basic care for a pilgrim people with nowhere to lay their heads.  It’s smaller than you think: humbler.

Six hundred years later, Jesus will be asked what the Kingdom of God is like.  Will it be about might and power?  Will it overthrow Roman rule?  No.  The Kingdom of God is like a woman… kneeding bread… finding a single lost coin.

Jeremiah dreams of a day when all nations will be found streaming to Jerusalem.  The Ark of the Covenant will no long be a center of devotion because the whole of Jerusalem will be holy.  Holiness will not be found in an artifact of the past, but in a living community, honoring God’s name and experiencing His presence.  It’s broader than you think: humbler.

Twenty-six hundred years later, are we living the dream?  There are some amazingly beautiful centers of devotion in the Christian world (and beyond!).  But the fullness of the Christian faith is found on this ambo, on this altar, on these pews.  The world’s hurting, but it’s not streaming to us.  That’s why we’re sent out.  Give them shepherds.