(Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.)
Jerusalem and the Jewish people were on the verge of collapse and exile. Jeremiah could see this. The Lord seemed to be pushing Jeremiah to preach that, but Jeremiah was for resisting that. In fact, Jeremiah was about to resign his position as prophet.
We should pray as Jeremiah did, calling God onto the carpet, explaining to God is no uncertain terms exactly how we feel and what we expect God to do because of our difficulties and prayer. Our true prayer is coming to God as we are, dirty, bloodied, sweaty and exhausted.
Jeremiah said that had eagerly devoured God’s words and put them to work. He had not gone out partying with his friends every night. He had taken his work seriously. In return, he had only heartaches, loneliness, and disbelief from his faithfulness to God.
God did reply to Jeremiah. If Jeremiah would come back to work for God, God will keep him as God’s prophet. Furthermore, God would continue to have Jeremiah’s back to protect him. The difficulties would remain, but Jeremiah would have God’s protection.
God does reply to our prayers. After we have given God a piece of our mind, we have to allow God to answer us. Often, we shall recognize God’s response quickly, but sometimes God will seem not to answer our prayer immediately. We should stick around, because God will take care of us. To God and from God is our victory.