But I am full of the wrath of the Lord; I am weary of holding it in.
Pour it out on the children in the street, and on the gatherings of
young men as well; both husband and wife shall be taken, the old
folk and the very aged…For from the least to the greatest of them,
everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest,
everyone deals falsely. (6:11, 13)
This reading from Jeremiah is one I would rather avoid because it
discusses the wrath of God. Isn’t the nature of God love? In a word,
“Yes”—and that is why God is angry: “They have treated the wound
of my people carelessly.” God is the lover of the wounded, the one
who rises in defense of the poor.
As God’s children, how do we follow this example? We all pray for
peace, but our words are not enough. How can our actions become
a living prayer—not to avoid God’s anger, but to live in our identity
as God’s followers? Halfway through this holy season, there is still
time for us to “turn and live” more fully into God. Exploring the needs
within 10 miles of our parish communities, or supporting people living
in poverty worldwide through Episcopal Relief & Development, are
ways to begin.
—Joy Daley
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