Where are we as a people going? Reading today’s scripture reminded me of a sport called “orienteering”. A basic explanation is a person using a map and a compass to traverse unfamiliar territory. In the competition there is an added component of time. There are groups all over the world that compete and have clubs and societies that use only a map and a compass as they race against a fellow competitor and the clock.
Today we have GPS in our phones and cars and we may find it strange that someone would go backto the old fashion way of a map and a compass. Technology is king! We put our trust in the GPS, but take my word for it. Sometimes the GPS lies to us. I have an acquaintance when I ride the city bus. I ride the bus three days per week because my wife needs the car in order to take my granddaughter to swimming lessons.
My bus friend is a delivery truck driver who does not own a car, but has a driver’s license. At work he uses verbal directions, maps and GPS to make his deliveries over a four county area. He tells the story that his fellow drivers sometimes become very lost and confused when they depend on GPS alone. They don’t listen to the dispatcher or someone else’s advice and on some occasions bring their loads back to the warehouse. The reason they get lost is that they charge ahead following the instruction of their GPS and in the process end up getting lost.
In today’s first reading Jeremiah is pleading with the people of his day. “Put not you trust in deceitful words” and later he says “We are safe; we can commit all these abominations again? Has this house which bears my name become in your eyes a den of thieves”. The people he was pleading and addressing were only giving “lip service” to God. In their homes they would use evil customs and traditions of their pagan neighbors, they were worshiping other gods. I wonder if we as a people of faith are sometimes doing the same thing. Every day our souls are searching into unknown territory and yes we are diverted in our path by sin and sometimes the same sin, and like the Israelites of Jeremiah’s time we give “lip service” by going to Church on Sunday and when we go to work on Monday, we worship other gods.
How do we orient our way through life and eventually heaven? The world as analogized by GPS may lead us astray. However, we have tools. They are scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit and the Magisterium of the Church.
“Only if you thoroughly reform your ways and your deeds; if each of you deals justly with your neighbor; if you no longer oppress the resident alien; the orphan and the widow; if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place, or follow strange gods to your own harm, will I remain with you in this place, in the land I gave your fathers long ago and forever.”
God truly wants to be our only God and wants us to be His people. Sometimes when I receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, I find myself repeating the same things I said in my last confession. I sometimes feel that I give “lip service” to God. I hope not, because it is certainly not my intent. However, God is still there and wants to be my God. Whenever you get the feeling that you are unloved or worthless. Just remember that God will forgive us and He wants to be our God. His forgiveness never ends. It is boundless as only the forgiveness of a true God could be.
We have had a lot of innocent blood shed in our world over the past few months and we are called as a people of faith to truly reform. “All lives do matter” – black or white – police or criminal. You can not reform someone who is dead.
Jesus in the Gospel for today’s reading give us glimpse of what will happen to those who do not reform and those that do.
“Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, ‘first collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn’’.
We live in a world with all kinds of people and I question sometimes where this world is going. However, we have the secret of orienteering this maze of other gods by use of the scripture as in today’s readings, prayer always and constantly and the gift of the Holy Spirit which if we listen will hear the voice of God saying He wants to be our God. Your life does matter. Hear the word of God and follow it. Listen!
God Bless you!
Bob Burford
Readings for today: Jeremiah 7:1-11; Psalm 84:3,4,5-6A; 8A, 11; Matthew 13:24-30
