The Feast of St Peter Faber SJ | Tuesday 2 August 2022

Today is Tuesday the 2nd August, the feast of St Peter Faber SJ, in the 18th week of Ordinary Time.


David Gungor with the Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Have Mercy On Me’.

The goodness of the Lord is the kindness of the Lord
With ev'ry breath we take, the gift of life and grace
The power of the Lord is the meekness of the Lord
Who bore humanity with brave humility
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
The beauty of the Lord is the suff'ring of the Lord
Is Christ upon a tree, stripped of dignity
The glory of the Lord is the mercy of the Lord
Gives life for us to see a new humanity
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
When they see us, may they see
Your mercy, Your mercy
When they know us, may they know
Your mercy, Your mercy
When they see us, may they see
Your mercy, Your mercy
When they know us, may they know
Your mercy, Your mercy
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
Bless the hands and feet
Of those who serve in need
Of the broken and ashamed
Bless the weary soul
The Lord will make us whole
God, speak peace to those afraid
May the words we speak
Build a bridge for peace
Your loving kindness shows the way
Open up our doors
Giving refuge for
All the weary and afraid…
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy
Let Your mercy flow through us
Your mercy, Your mercy



Today’s reading is from the book of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.
For thus says the LORD:
Your hurt is incurable,
your wound is grievous.
There is no one to uphold your cause,
no medicine for your wound,
no healing for you.
All your lovers have forgotten you;
they care nothing for you;
for I have dealt you the blow of an enemy,
the punishment of a merciless foe,
because your guilt is great,
because your sins are so numerous.
Why do you cry out over your hurt?
Your pain is incurable.
Because your guilt is great,
because your sins are so numerous,
I have done these things to you.
Thus says the LORD:
I am going to restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob,
and have compassion on his dwellings;
the city shall be rebuilt upon its mound,
and the citadel set on its rightful site.
Out of them shall come thanksgiving,
and the sound of merrymakers.
I will make them many, and they shall not be few;
I will make them honoured, and they shall not be disdained.
Their children shall be as of old,
their congregation shall be established before me;
and I will punish all who oppress them.
Their prince shall be one of their own,
their ruler shall come from their midst;
I will bring him near, and he shall approach me,
for who would otherwise dare to approach me?
says the LORD.
And you shall be my people,
and I will be your God.

The German theologian and martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer opposed the idea of “cheap grace”. God’s willingness to forgive does not ignore the reality of sin, or its harmful effects. To receive forgiveness, I am asked to acknowledge my sin and turn away from it. Jeremiah speaks of this in the first part of this challenging passage. How does that sound to you?

The second part of the passage speaks of the reality of God’s forgiveness. When have you experienced this, or where in your life would you want to?

Listen again, and notice the change of tone in this passage. Notice, especially, the way that it ends.

Finally, speak to the God who wants you to be one of his people, who wants to be known as your God.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.