peace and repentance

Good morning friends,
I'd like to start by reminding everyone that Sunday will be our last Sunday outside for the fall with a picnic lunch to follow (if the weather cooperates). It a great way to start off the new church year after summer travels; everyone is invited to join the fun.

Today's reading shows us one of the lines I often think of when I think of Jeremiah. Jeremiah was accused by the religious leaders of spreading panic and preaching doom and gloom. Apparently his nickname was "terror all around" because of his constant warnings. Here Jeremiah makes his counter-accusation: the leaders God entrusted with caring for the people have been careless in their responsibility, "Saying, 'Peace' when there is no peace." In other words, the prophets and priests who should be calling Judah back from her wandering ways have preached false comfort, telling people everything is going to be alright instead of warning people of the danger they face if they don't change their ways.

God's call to repentance is an important part of the message. We're told that when Jesus first started preaching he said, "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand." In the light of God's justice our behavior always comes up short. Fortunately, God's judgment isn't the last word. After the disaster God brings to Israel and Judah there will be restoration; after death comes resurrection. God's love never fails. We are called to repent because God is righteous; we can repent because God is with us and calls us home.

God bless,
Sam

Jeremiah 8:10-17
10Therefore I will give their wives to others and their fields to conquerors, because from the least to the greatest everyone is greedy for unjust gain; from prophet to priest everyone deals falsely. 11They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. 12They acted shamefully, they committed abomination; yet they were not at all ashamed, they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time when I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the Lord.
13When I wanted to gather them, says the Lord, there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered, and what I gave them has passed away from them.

14Why do we sit still? Gather together, let us go into the fortified cities and perish there; for the Lord our God has doomed us to perish, and has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the Lord. 15We look for peace, but find no good, for a time of healing, but there is terror instead. 16The snorting of their horses is heard from Dan; at the sound of the neighing of their stallions the whole land quakes. They come and devour the land and all that fills it, the city and those who live in it. 17See, I am letting snakes loose among you, adders that cannot be charmed, and they shall bite you, says the Lord.