Jer 31: 1-7
At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the Lord: The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall take your tambourines, and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant, and shall enjoy the fruit. For there shall be a day when sentinels will call in the hill country of Ephraim: “Come, let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.”
For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Again!
Again! This is the word that flows out of our reading from the prophet Jeremiah today. The Lord keeps reminding Israel that once “again” they will be restored: again, I will restore you; again, you shall plant vineyards; again, you shall take your tambourines, etc.
God’s people were despairing and hopeless in their many years of suffering and exile. Jeremiah preaches to the people a word of hope, reminding them, again, of God’s everlasting love and faithfulness which is always ready to do something new in our lives and hearts if we but turn to him once again.
Again! No matter how far down a certain road we have traveled away from the Lord, there is always time to begin again. God’s everlasting love is always ready to work a new “again” in our life, transforming us in his love. Will we, again, open our hearts to God?
—Fr. Jonathon Polce, SJ, was ordained a priest this summer and is beginning an assignment at Jesuit High School New Orleans. He is a member of the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province.
Prayer
The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
—Jeremiah 31:10