Jeremiah 44: Into the Hill Country
Thursday, December 22, 2022
The Israelites who are not deported by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon escape to Egypt, taking Jeremiah with them. Once settled in the south, rather than thanking Yahweh for delivery and turning to him in their time of trial, they begin to worship “The Queen of Heaven,” most likely the fertility goddess Astarte or Ishtar. Jeremiah is believed to be assassinated after he warns the exiled people of Judah that their worship of this false goddess and their turning away from the one true God will spell out their doom. These words prove to be true. Jeremiah is vindicated, but meets his end.
In this Advent season we celebrate one who is truly the Queen of Heaven, Mary, the mother of Jesus. Today’s Gospel spells out her journey into the “hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb”. And thus begins the story of Jesus and his cousin John the Baptist. The words from today’s MAGNIFICAT Meditation taken from the works of St. Bonaventure stand in contrast to what we find in today’s Noontime reading. St. Bonaventure writes: Once a devout soul has been touched or moved by the hope of heavenly bliss, the fear of eternal punishment, or the weariness of living long in this vale of tears (Ps 84:7) it is visited by fresh inspirations, set alight with holy desires, and taken up with godly thoughts. Again in contrast with the reaction of the Judahites is the reaction of the soul when it encounters God; and St. Bonaventure continues to describe how the soul will turn away from the world in order to turn to God. The further one withdraws from the world, the closer becomes one’s friendship with good people. It follows that the more the company of ungodly people loses its attraction, the more the company f saintly and spiritual people inspires the heart with radiant delight. St. Bonaventure advises us how to avoid falling into the trap of false worship. Avoid the company of the wicked, go up into the hill country with Mary, seek the advice of spiritual people, strive to follow in the footsteps of the saints, reflect upon the teachings of holy people and also upon their actions and examples.
The Judahites carried Jeremiah away with them when they escaped from the Babylonians and fled to Egypt. He continued to prophesy but they killed him for his words.
Elizabeth and her child John respond with joy when they realize they are in the presence of holiness.
What do we choose this Advent? To hear the Word but reject it because it does not suit our schedule or plan? Or to hear the Word and abide in it whether or not it brings a message to us that we want to hear? Do we choose to carry the prophet into exile and kill him for his counsel? Or do we choose to go up into the hill country with Mary to surround ourselves with good and holy people?
We are not bound by any restrictions for God so loves us that when God creates us God also gives us the freedom to choose our response to God’s call. So as we consider our choice during this Advent season, we do well to spend a bit of time in the hill country today with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.
Cameron, Peter John. “Meditation of the Day. MAGNIFICAT.12.21 (2010). Print.
Images from: http://www.christthekingretreatcenter.org/events, and https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/mary-and-joseph-travel-to-bethlehem?lang=eng
Adapted from a reflection written on December 21, 2010.
The Noontimes 