The first reading for today from the prophet Jeremiah is another favorite of mine because first of all, it brings to mind the age-old controversy about who is competent to 
interpret scripture. Those who accept scripture as God's word usually are very eager to find out and know what God is saying in each passage. It helps to realize that the bible was written over a space in time of 1,000 years. It's hard to imagine all that happened in those thousand years and how many changes took place in society.
If I take the first verse of this reading at face value, or try to read it literally, I run into a big problem which contradicts a lot of my life experience as a Catholic and as a person with a deep love for the scriptures. "Thus says the Lord, 'Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of seasons, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth." Because of my reliance on the truth of God's word, I always had a very deep regard for all those that I found trustworthy, starting with my parents. The presence of trustworthy people around me always gave me great confidence in establishing and strengthening mutually life enhancing relationships.
Of course, as you read that first verse of today's reading, you must read it in the light of the following verses which explain what makes those around us trustworthy, "Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream. It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green. In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit."
The responsorial psalm continues to explain what makes a person trustworthy, "Blessed the person who follows not the counsel of the wicked, nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the lord and meditates on his law day and night." The psalm also tells you how we recognize those who are not trustworthy. "Not so the wicked, not so. They are like chaff which the wind drives away, for the Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes."
For some reason, I spent a great deal of time thinking back about the many classes I attended on scripture and the many hours I still spend studying it with an open mind. I find it sad when I run into people who seem to have an agenda, and who then read the scriptures to find proof that they are right.
I still believe that life is a journey and that Almighty God speaks to us continually so that we can always make the right decisions and do his will lest we join in any way those who cannot be trusted with our wellbeing. So God warns us lest we think 
that we are there already because we are comfortable while ignoring the plight of those still struggling for dignity. So from time to time I think God reminds us that we are making decisions daily and that we need guidance in establishing and maintaining our priorities. I know that God is a loving mother and father to all human beings and loves everyone. So from time to time we are warned of the importance of living our values and being deeply concerned about others. So we read, "Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are filled now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way." Now that quote requires some serious prayerful reflection.
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