Love demands it

Jeremiah is a fascinating prophet. He was called to the prophetic office when he was very young. Throughout much of his career, he admits that he would rather not have this job. It puts him in a very uncomfortable place. Loads of people don't like him. But he says that he must speak, even if he doesn't want to. It's as if there is a fire in his bones that must come out. The world needs prophets, even if we don't want to hear from them. Their words can address the personal life and the political life. They won't understand making a distinction in those realms. Prophets are truth tellers. Frankly, every religious and political perspective and every individual will be challenged by the truth tellers, especially if the truth comes from compassion. I think Jeremiah will unsettle me in the next few weeks, but I (and we) need to be unsettled. Love demands it.