Jer 17: 5-8; Psalm 1:1-4.6; 1 Cor 15:12,16-20; Luke 6: 17,20-26
Jeremiah lived through a stormy period about 600 BC, before and during the exile. He suffered much through sieges and imprisonments, his life and death showing many similarities with Jesus. The despair he felt at the sins of his people against God’s covenant may have led him to doubt. But doubt can lead to re-examination of beliefs: Jeremiah never lost hope that God is merciful, and his new covenant would save his people. We may wrestle with sin engraved on the heart, treasures will be taken away, but we must trust in the Lord to lead us through our troubles.
Paul had reminded the Corinthians of the centrality of the resurrection to our faith. Now he explains: without Christ’s resurrection from the dead, there is no resurrection of the body for us. Therefore no bodily life after our death – this life is all we have. He compares the resurrection of the dead to sowing a seed: the body which dies “is not the body which is to be”, which will be energised by the Spirit. “What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable”.
In Luke’s gospel Jesus had chosen the twelve from his disciples, clearly indicating to Jews his new approach. Jesus proclaims God’s justice is coming. Good news for those treated unfairly, not good for those behaving unjustly.
Psalm Response: Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
(Jer 17: 5-8; Psalm 1:1-4.6; 1 Cor 15:12,16-20; Luke 6: 17,20-26)