living on lava?
“Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth.” —Jeremiah 17:5-6
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine spending a week by yourself camping on “a lava waste, a salt and empty earth” (Jer 17:6). Have you ever seen a lava waste? Nothing can grow upon lava. There can be no roots, so all plant growth withers (see Mt 13:6; Jer 17:6). It is totally inhospitable. That is what it’s like to trust in human beings, seek strength in flesh, and turn your heart away from the Lord (Jer 17:5). There is “no change of season” (Jer 17:6), no plant life, no shade, no growth, no nourishment. Trusting in man is like being a barren, lifeless bush in the desert (Jer 17:6).
The contrast presented in today’s Eucharistic readings could not be more stark. The choice in whom we trust is like the difference between living in a lava waste or living beside a flowing stream. Living beside flowing water means fruit during drought, shade, and deep roots (Jer 17:8). But trusting in man, the things of earth, and being well spoken of (Lk 6:24-26) only brings woe.
As today’s Mass readings illustrate, it’s not only our behavior that dooms us, it’s whether we put our trust in God or in man (Jer 17:5ff; Ps 1:1ff). Will we stay true to God and put our trust in Him or will we trust in man and live on lava?
Prayer: Father, help me to trust in You at all times (Ps 62:9).
Promise: “Blest are you who hunger; you shall be filled.” —Lk 6:20-21
Praise: Praise Jesus, incarnate God! Praise Jesus, victorious over Satan, sin, and death! (see Heb 2:14-15).
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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