This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
    who draws strength from mere flesh
    and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
    they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
    in a salt land where no one lives.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.

 (Jeremiah 17:5-7)

Jeremiah 17:5-8

Do we sometimes feel that we live in ‘parched places of the wilderness,’ as the first reading of Sunday mentions from the prophet Jeremiah? This is quite an image. If we were living in the wilderness - in dry spaces that are inhospitable and barren – it would be intolerable for us. 

Sometimes, we may feel like we are living in dry spaces daily. This may be due to our struggles: times are tough, and we need as much help as we can get from others to make it through to better times—to leave a wilderness space for something better.  

However, it may also be the case that we put ourselves in the ‘wilderness’ because we are trying to ‘get by’ just by ourselves. Perhaps, in this case, we make life more complicated than it should be. If we were to place our trust in the Lord, he may be able to support us in the trials of life. When we get the Lord’s help, our burdens can seem lighter for us. When we turn to him, he leads us out of the wilderness to greener pastures.

Reflections by Grant Tungay SJ

Loving God,
Give us the grace to trust deeply in you. Help us see the blessings you have given us, even amid struggle. Lead us to praise and worship you and to be grateful for the gift of life you have given us. 

Amen.

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