Sermon – Rev. Judith Perry

Michelangelo depicts Jeremiah weeping. He has repeatedly told the King of Judah and inner court that if they continue as they are doing, the Babylonian enemy will come and destroy them. 

For all Jeremiah’s entreaties, the king was more interested in himself than in the lives of his people. 

The people suffered whilst the king enriched himself and his favourite courtiers. Most importantly the king had little regard for good governance. He was more interested in satisfying his own greed. 

Jeremiah prophesies and tells the king like it is. In the practice of the time, being inspired, he writes as if God were speaking to the King. 

Through your own fault you will lose the inheritance I gave you. I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know, for you have kindled my anger, and it will burn forever. 

The king with his absolute power did not appreciate this. The egos of such leaders are not usually open to criticism.  

First Jeremiah is tossed into jail, and then he is thrown into a cistern and left to die.  

He is rescued and lives to see the utter destruction of Jerusalem, the fall of the king and the forced evacuation of many others who were marched off to Babylon.  

The prophesy was realized. 

Jeremiah came off lucky, and with his scribe, his fate and his prophesies were recorded.  

Many prophets were simply executed. It was and is not healthy to question an authoritative regime. 

Jesus’ words in Matthew’s gospel:   

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. 

It is all about politics. And where are the prophets now? 

Now if you want to criticize you cannot put your words in God’s mouth as those old Hebrews did.  

If you try that and gain any followers, then you are leading a cult. That often does not end well. 

For example, let’s look south of the border as their leader is becoming increasingly authoritarian and has mused about being a dictator. 

Where are the prophets. Where is the public criticism? 

What about late night television?  Stephen Colbert is a practising Roman Catholic. Nightly he is on the president’s case. 

Well, the president does give him loads of material. Much of current criticism, prophesy, is veiled in clever humour. 

The President is not amused, and the network canceled Colbert’s show. 

Not withstanding, Time Magazine recently named Colbert as one of the most influential voices in America, and now Colbert has been awarded an Emmy. 

Stay tuned. We haven’t heard the last of this. As the regime increases its powers, what will be his fate and the fate of the other late-night hosts? 

Prophetic action is always political and sometimes openly so. It can for instance take place in supporting a candidate running for office. 

West Point US Military Academy abruptly cancelled an upcoming award ceremony for actor and veterans’ advocate, Tom Hanks. So, no award, no parade because he publicly supported Kamila Harris. 

The military Academy must show unwavering support for their commander-in -chief. 

Tom Hanks is a practising Orthodox Christian. 

As the situation worsens, what will happen to Tom Hanks and other courageous folks who dare oppose the administration. 

What happens when journalists play the prophetic role? 

Donald Trump has filed a $15bn defamation lawsuit against the New York Times in his latest use of legal action targeting a major media outlet. 

The US president accused it of being a “mouthpiece” for the Democratic party and of “spreading false and defamatory content” about him. 

It seems that promoting hatred may just mean criticizing the current administration. 

This week the American government announced that left-wing groups promoting hatred are now being officially labelled as terrorists. 

Hatred can just mean opposing the regime. 

Of course, the policy only targets left-wing groups and not right-wing groups. 

Biblical criticism of the administration and populace was called prophesy, and we have books of this recorded criticism. In the style of the time, it utilized the voice of God. 

Now criticism is more direct, but often just as dangerous, and the Divine Spirit may very well inspire these courageous souls. 

Here we often march and demonstrate for the climate, for the Coastal Protection Act, for bicycle lanes and so on. 

It is both opposition and support of government action. It is a critical response. It is prophesy. Often the banner of this church, St. Matthew’s, is unfurled and held high at these events.  

St. Matthew’s takes a prophetic stand. 

Let’s switch venues. The Israeli government is invading and destroying Gaza City, much like Jerusalem was brought to the ground in the time of Jeremiah. 

I don’t know what has happened to these churches, but a week ago Wednesday the Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius and its compound in Gaza City were ordered to evacuate by the Israel Defense Forces.  

 The church folks were refusing. The fifth century church has been destroyed. 

At the same time the religious and clergy of the Catholic Church of the Holy Family refused to leave. 

Its pastor, Gabriel Romanelli confirmed that the church was sheltering 450 people, including elderly, sick, and children who refused to leave the church despite the Israeli evacuation orders. 

Father Romanelli, in a video message aired by Vatican News, stated that: “most of the residents don’t want to leave. Danger is everywhere, but many prefer to stay. We are doing our best to support and accompany them”. 

Despite the hardship, the church recently celebrated a wedding and the birth of a child.  Father Romanelli said, Amid so much pain, God blesses us with signs of life and joy.” 

“We continue praying for peace, for all of Gaza, the Middle East, and the world. May God grant us peace.” 

Both churches became shelters for hundreds of civilians, including the elderly, women and children. 

The Latin Church compound also housed individuals with disabilities, who are cared for by the Missionaries of Charity. 

Over a week ago the two churches highlighted the worsening conditions inside their compounds due to hunger and malnutrition and warned that moving south would amount to a “death sentence” for many. 

What has happened to them now? 

The clergy and the nuns were committed to staying to care for those seeking refuge.  

They are the prophetic presence in this genocidal horror. 

Prophesy is an action verb. 

As God’s hand was on Jeremiah, God’s hand is on each of us. 

What are we/you doing?