Find Me, Lord

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 149

LECTIO:

Reading 1JER 31:7-9

Thus says the LORD:
Shout with joy for Jacob,
exult at the head of the nations;
proclaim your praise and say:
The LORD has delivered his people,
the remnant of Israel.
Behold, I will bring them back
from the land of the north;
I will gather them from the ends of the world,
with the blind and the lame in their midst,
the mothers and those with child;
they shall return as an immense throng.
They departed in tears,
but I will console them and guide them; 
I will lead them to brooks of water,
on a level road, so that none shall stumble.
For I am a father to Israel,
Ephraim is my first-born.

Studium: 

Jeremiah is prophesying the future.  The remnant of Israel is in Egypt, but they will be brought back to their homeland.  All of them, scattered, will throng back home.

  Jacob is the second born son who tricked his father into giving him the blessing belonging to the first son.  And referenced here is, Joseph bringing his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim to his father, Jacob,  for a blessing.  Manasseh and Ephraim were Joseph's sons born in Egypt.  Manasseh is the firstborn, but he doesn't get the blessing belonging to the first son because Jacob crosses his hands, so that his right hand rests on the second son's head.  This was done on purpose so that Ephraim will get the firstborn son's blessing.  Joseph speaks up, "No, no Father, put your right hand on the firstborn." 

 But his father refused, and said: "I know, my son, I know. He, too, will become a nation; he, too, will be great. But his younger brother shall be even greater than he." (Genesis 48:14-19)

 Ephraim represents the exiles who physically and spiritually return.

Meditatio:

I guess Lord, like a strong father, you take us back into the fold no matter how far we stray from you.  It doesn't matter where or who, we will all return.

Oratio:

Father, deliver us from the evil that tempts us.  We need to come home to rest.  And only in You do we find peace.

Contemplatio:

Thy Kingdom come.  Thy will be done.