March 16, 2023
Thursday of the 3 rd Week of Lent
Readings: Jer 7:23-28/Lk 11:14-23 (240)
Vanessa Ramos: Senior
A reflection on Jeremiah 7:23-28.
In this reading, God calls the Jewish people to repentance and reformation. He reproves
them for their vain confidence and threatens them with destruction for their many sins,
specifically idolatry. We see in the reading how the people were stiff-necked and
disobeyed God, and God says, “This is the command I give you, obey my voice. Hear my
voice and do it. And I will”, so hear the promise, “I will be your God, you shall be my
people. Walk in the way that I command you, and it will be well with you”. What God
had said is a promise to his people then and to us now that if we listen and obey him and
walk in the way that he commands it will go well with us. This does not necessarily mean
we will live a perfect life but experience all life’s goodness and live a good life in which
God has willed for us. What I took away from reading this reading is that it is reminding
us to ask God for help in obeying him. God made human beings with the ability to hear
and obey and hear his word. But it is our choice if we want to listen to it. We ask and
pray to God to help us listen to his word and transform our minds, our thoughts, our
actions, our desires, and our words.