The two scripture readings for today: Jeremiah and Matthew might easily be expressed in the title of a recently published motivational book titled "Three Feet From Gold." Both inspired scripture texts are indeed keys to a true treasure. However,as in TFFG, it is easy to miss the "pot of gold" if one's mind and heart are not open to learning how to find the treasure.
Jeremiah and Jesus and their messages are missed because we human beings have genuine fear when confronting or being confronted by new thought patterns or whispers buried deep within our souls. The messages of both prophets are at root the same: open your heart and your life to understand where the Holy Spirit is leading.
For sure both Jesus and Jeremiah were and today are calling for metanoia (change). This is a real threat to many. Repentance has many sizes and shapes. However, as many as these may be, there are in each person's inner self just as many "excuses" to run away from the call Jesus and Jeremiah present today.
Few are the people who have not attached themselves to person, things, thought patterns and habits that block the voice of the prophets that challenge the quiet efforts of the Holy Spirit's trying to lead to the way of life God intended for each person he has brought or will bring into this world.
In the time of Jeremiah blindness and deafness resulted in the ruination of a kingdom and great loss. In the time of Jesus the same psychological/spiritual blindness and deafness have resulted in the accomplishment of "many might works." The blindness and deafness are other words for the fear of opening up hearts and minds to what God wants of us, what we truly want for ourselves as well.
So, the question arises: Is there any fear or fear in life, personal life, that prevent(s) being open to the inner voice that struggles each day to bring the "pot of gold" closer. Or, put in another way: are there omens God has been placing in life that a threats to my established comfort zone ... which really isn't to comfortable after all.
