26th Week in Ord. Time, Friday – 6th October 2023 – Baruch 1,15-22; Lk 10,13-16
Prayer of Acknowledgment
In the first reading from the book of Baruch, the prophet shares the sentiments of the people who were in Babylonian exile. While in exile, they cry out their sorrow for the past sins and realize how much they were in need of forgiveness and deliverance by God. It is the beginning of what is called the ‘Prayer of the Exiles’. This passage expresses the Israelites general lament about their situation, because they were far away from their homeland, from Jerusalem and its Temple, the home of Yahweh. Finally, they offer prayers to God with remorse for their sinfulness. They never complained against Yahweh for their condition. Their sufferings have one and only reason – their long history of not obeying the Lord and going their own way. This began from the days when the Lord brought them out of Egypt right up to the present time. Baruch compares the goodness and the integrity of God with that of his people. If they have suffered by being sent into exile, it is the result of their own sins and not the doing of their benevolent God. It is so easy to blame God for our failures and use him as a scapegoat who will not strike back. But the first step in expressing our love of God must begin with a total acknowledgment of our own sinfulness. Therefore, when we suffer, the question we need to ask is not why me God? Rather, what is my negligence Lord?
