Saturday, March 28, 2009

Saturday March 28, 2009 of the 4th Week in Lent

March 28, 2009 of the Fourth Week in Lent
Readings: Jerimiah 11: 18-20 Psalm 7 John 7: 40-53

Like many of us. Jerimiah sees the utility of recognizing the plans of his enemies. He cannot defend himself from them and in his prayers, he implores God to, at least permit him to see their downfall.
It sounds as though he was looking for revenge before anything bad happened. However, several chapters leter they subdue him enclose him in a hollowed out tree and saw it in half.
That's pretty graphic.
We experience the same thing at times when our efforts to help turn into plots for squeezing more out of us. Think of Jerimiah when confronted with these misunderstandings of our pupose and thank God for the perseverence to withstand them and not strike out in revenge.

Like the psalmist, it's better to rely on God's providence. He know what's coming and will be the source of solace for us and if necessary, the punishment of the wrongdoers.

Were we to have lived during the times of the Gospel, we too, may have wondered why there's no mention of Nazareth as the birthplace of the Messiah in the Scriptures.
Perhaps it is better to use the improper interpretation of the hearers of the time to confront those who believe, " If it ain't in the Bible, it ain't so".

Some scholars point out the use of the title "Jesus of Nazareth" is more an indication of where Jesus was born than the infancy story. However, if we look to the Bible as a theological essay rather than a history, we would know writers took liberties when applying birthplaces and geographical locations. To proclaim Jesus to be a son of David, it could be a reference to the tribal affiliation of Joseph rather than a physical place of His birth.
Biblical historians are quick to point out there was no census of the world convened at the request of Caesar. The Bible mentions the "Magi" but not the number as we suppose. There are other Historical inaccuricies but the theological message is true!

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