"Let me witness the vengeance"

These words from today’s first reading (Jeremiah 11:18-20) may be disturbing to some of us, especially when we look to Scripture for comfort and for guidance in the ways of God’s love.

But, you, O LORD of hosts, O just Judge,
searcher of mind and heart,
Let me witness the vengeance you take on them,
for to you I have entrusted my cause!

The first and most critical thing to remember in hearing these words is that the vengeance of God is not the vengeance of men.

Did Jeremiah, threatened and afflicted as he was, have thoughts of human-style vengeance as he prayed to God?

Quite possibly, but again, the vengeance of God is not the vengeance of men.

The vengeance of men is often clouded and driven by emotion and even selfishness.

The vengeance of God is pure justice.

Moreover, on the one hand, the justice of God is inescapable, for God is the “searcher of mind and heart” and no amount of rationalization or trickery can deflect His justice.

Nor can the justice of God be evaded by any power or privilege. We are all tiny and vulnerable before the justice of God.

God will set all things right. His justice will prevail.

But God will set all things right not only by the power of His justice, but also by the power of His love and mercy through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Things may not be good in some ways for many of us. For some of us, things are very bad.

God will set all things right: His justice will prevail and His mercy is infinite.

Thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, be merciful to me – a sinner.