Wednesday of the
Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Jeremiah 1:1.4-10; Matthew 13:1-9)
It is said that Joseph Kennedy, Sr., raised his son
Joseph, Jr., to be president. When the
younger Joseph Kennedy was killed in World War II, the elder turned his attention
to his second son, John. In today’s
first reading the Lord God has a similar design for Jeremiah, the prophet.
Jeremiah hears a call from God. He understands that God wants him to speak on
His behalf. But, he argues, he is too
young for such a responsibility. He is
told not to fear. He has been prepared
for the mission since before his birth and will be accompanied by the Lord Himself
every step of the way.
God knows each of us in such an intimate way – all seven
billion of the earth’s present inhabitants and the countless numbers who
preceded us. He has a mission for us as
well. He wants us to root up the walls
of fear that separate us from others. In
their place He wants us to build bridges of mutual love. As daunting as it
seems at times, the challenge is not too great since God has promised to be our
strength.
