October 2019 Letter
Dear brethren,
Jeremiah lived in the 7th century B.C., and prophesied for 40 years during a very critical period in the history of the Israelites. We can notice many similarities between Jeremiah and Christ, so when Christ asked who people say He is, they answered: “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets” (Mat 16: 14). Here we observe few of the similarities between Jeremiah and Christ:
| Jeremiah | Christ |
| + Characterized by the delicacy of feelings, he wept a lot for the people. | + Wept over Jerusalem. |
| + Expressed his sorrow by saying: “I would comfort myself in sorrow; My heart is faint in me” (Jer 8: 18). | + Also expressed His great sorrow: “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death” (Mat 26: 38). |
| + His people hated and abandoned him because he used to rebuke them. | + They hated Christ (John 3: 20). |
| + He accepted to be rebuked for the sake of the Lord: “Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke” (Jer 15: 15). | +Was said about Christ: “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me” (Rom 15: 3). |
| + Spoke about the underestimation of the house of the Lord: “Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes?” (Jer 7: 11). | + Referred to what Jeremiah said about Jerusalem: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a `den of thieves” (Mark 11: 17). |
| + Prophesied about the desolation of Jerusalem (Jer 1: 15-16). | + Revealed what will happen to Jerusalem (Mat 23: 37-38). |
| + He referred to God’s care for his sheep: “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase” (Jer 23: 3). | + He Himself is the Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10: 11). |
| + Jeremiah likened himself as a domestic sheep driven to slaughter (Jer 11: 9). | + The same was said about Christ: “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth” (Isa 53: 7). |
| + He was struck and put in prison (Jer 37: 11-15). | + Was struck during His trial at the house of the high priest (Mat 26: 65-68), and also in the Praetorium (Mat 27: 30). |
| + A wooden yoke was put on his neck. | + Carried the cross |
| + Killed by the hands of his people. | + Judas delivered Him to Pilate. |
May the blessing of St. Mary & St. Mercurius and all the martyrs & saints be with us all.
Belleville, October 1, 2019