For whenever I speak, I must cry out,
I must shout, “Violence and destruction!”
For the word of the Lord has become for me
a reproach and derision all day long.
Jer 20:8, NRSV
Jeremiah seems to dread pronouncing God’s judgement on Israel because of the persecution that it ignites. He stands firm, however, in his proclamation against God’s people who have departed from God and have fallen sway to the temptations to live self-absorbed lives that harm others (either intentionally, inadvertently, or through neglect) while developing, improving, and advancing one’s self.
By refusing to make the needed transformations to realign their selves with God under the terms espoused in the covenant, God’s people will experience a divine disruption and upheaval that will destroy their way of life altogether. And all will be affected by it, the rich, the poor, and even the prophet of God, himself. Jeremiah, although speaking in his own social context, wakens us to consider some things for our present time.
What things are weary of? Are we weary of the protests for reform in America’s justice system, the collective cry for equitable treatment for people of color, or the Word of the Lord that calls us to do what is just and right for those who have been oppressed and treated unfairly?
If we are weary of those things, we need to be reminded that all of humanity is interconnected, God values the lives of those who are marginalized from society, and if we do not take heed to care for one another, all of life will be diminished. That being the case, we are in need of socially disruptive persistence until African American lives carry the same value as those of the predominant culture. Let us not be social media activists, only. But let us promote justice and equality for people of color for the long haul in real, tangible ways.
Thus, from Jeremiah, the unrelenting prophet, we learn that life cannot continue as is, where there are corrupt systems that harm others. And because of that, the Word of the Lord must be proclaimed and engendered if there is to be change. For unless the present way of life ceases, a new life, a new era of equality and solidarity may not commence.
Reflection
What will we do to support that new era and the once disadvantaged people of color who will be valued in it? And how will we respond to pressures to digress from our stance and divest from pursuing the reformations that are needed in our nation to fearlessly advance the lives of African Americans?
By Rev. Karen Jenkins
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