Jeremiah 4: 11-12, 22-28 (New Jerusalem Bible)
Luke 15: 1-10 (Common English Bible)
The Pharisees and Scribes were grumpy again. They didn’t like some of the people that Jesus invited to the dinner. Scribes and Pharisees despised the tax collectors because they worked for the Roman government and were considered traitors because of that.
In our divided society, we haven’t seen division like this since the Civil War. People complain against Muslims, immigrants, poor people, homeless people, people of different races, gay marriage and other issues. The reason for this disapproval is not about ritual purity as it was in the 1st century, but different identities and beliefs.
I believe the major cause of this division in our nation now, happened in 1987 when the Fairness Doctrine was not renewed. The Fairness Doctrine gave equal voices to those who differ on an important issue. So what happened when the Fairness Doctrine was not renewed? What happened was the rise of Hate Radio on hundreds of AM Radio stations. People without any journalism degree took over the airways to spout their false political news and crackpot medical advice. And why does this continue? Because most AM radio stations are controlled by millionaires and billionaires who like the false news. They have no problem if their bought news brings lies to support their fossil fuel industry.
Some people criticize those who worship Allah instead of Yahweh. But who are we to judge? Jesus is mentioned in a good way in the Islamic Bible, the Quran. But congregations are often composed of people who think alike. This may be the norm of the congregation if it is located in a homogeneous area with a particular identity. However, sometimes a congregation sends a subtle message that hints they only want white people with money.
In these parables, Jesus imagines a shepherd and a woman. Shepherds were sometimes considered dirty and perhaps thieves and migrants. Some listeners from the crowd might have been offended by Jesus as a Shepherd or even a woman who is considered weak and powerless. But Jesus chose to be compared with God as a wise woman who shined the light to illuminate the dark room to find the lost coin. And God is above any gender. God can become any gender that God wants.
Many Christians identify with the nine coins and 99 sheep. The point of the story is how we treat the “lost”and found. The real message of these parables is to recognize that we are all Lost. Reminds me of that very cerebral TV series “Lost.”
President Barack Obama told a real story about Senator Robert Byrd (W. Virgina) who said he was once a member of the KKK during his younger days. Senator Byrd acknowledged his regrets over his failures of his younger years. President Obama responded, “We all have regrets Senator. We just ask that in the end, God’s grace will shine on us.”
The reading in Jeremiah’s scroll, chapter four opens, our thinking about the environment is opened. Our human actions have a direct impact on earth, both in our local communities and on a global scale. As humans, we face issues like the disposing of toxic waste, urban sprawl, threats of tornadoes, threats to the wilderness and global warming. As Christians we look to our faith and to the Scriptures to how to respond to environmental concerns. How does knowing God help us to live in harmony with all of God’s creation? Jeremiah’s broad indictment is accompanied by dramatic earthquakes and leaves the nations empty and barren.
In this reading, Jeremiah moves beyond the personal into the Cosmic. This makes the consequences more important outside the known world. When people within the tribes of Israel noticed hot winds blowing across the desert it meant that famine was coming.
Jeremiah was correct, the desolation did come, but it was not the end. As God looks over the desolate land. But later when the dust settled the area began to grow again.
This reading has implications about how we understand our relationship with God and how we connect with God. In verse 22 of chapter four of Jeremiah’s book, God says, “This is because my people are stupid, they do not know me, they are slow-witted children, which have no understanding but they are clever enough at doing wrong instead of doing right.”
Some harsh words from God, but God is often like that in the Old Testament. God can be critical and even mean. But there is something I thought of, in Genesis chapter one verse 26, a well known reading says, “God said let us make humankind in our image. What if some Scribes said, “Let us make God in human image.” In my opinion God has never changed, it’s just some humans have tried to speak in God’s place. The God of Jesus is the same God who guided the prophets. And remembering a Professor at the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary who said, “Judge what you read in the Bible and compare it to what Jesus taught. If it doesn’t agree with Jesus, it is not inspired.
God teaches us by example and that is okay to feel deeply and with passion. Anger and rage can be a part of our lives but we don’t need to make rash decisions. God feels an intense anger toward Israel then and now. But Moses begged God to not destroy all the Hebrews because of their Golden Calf. But God relented. God would not destroy them because they were God’s children forever.
The book “Silent Spring" when it came out in 1962 by Rachel Carson, was an eyeopener about American damage to the environment. It fits in with Jeremiah chapter four. It’s difficult to understand if the destruction of the earth in Jeremiah’s story is a result of creation’s reacting to the evil of the Israelites'or whether God is the active one destroying the land. But there is a clear link when people fail to follow God then the whole creation problems happen.
In Jeremiah 4:23 we get a picture of chaos before God created the world. Sin unmakes God’s works. It shakes what should be rock-solid and makes the earth empty of people, birds, flocks and herds alike.
During the last decades at long last, churches have begun to awaken to their own responsibilities to earth-keeping and creation cares. And there have been difficult challenges from some Christians. Some Christians shrug their shoulders, deeming it’s not an issue to be bothered with. Others seem convinced the earth is destined to be destroyed by God very soon, so why worry about it?
In recent years scientists have developed a theory of what is sometimes called the “Chaos Theory” or the "Butterfly Affect.” It now appears the universe is a vastly interconnected web that is far more sensitive than we thought. The motion of the butterfly’s wings over Chicago may have something to do with thunderstorms over in London a week after.
Many Old Testament passages teach us the same way. Creation is important to God. Science is important to humans, everything is inter-connected. And it’s no surprise, we will see human beings fail.
To honor God and God’s creations and mistreating God is what God has created, pray that activism will open the hearts of those politicians whose hearts are twisted by greed. AMEN
