You may have heard the saying, "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord." That's from Romans 12:19, and not part of today's liturgy. But it comes to mind for me because of today's first reading from Jeremiah 20.
"O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause."
We can be very vengeful people, can't we? Even though we ourselves may not act out in revenge, I think we're often like Jeremiah and would very much like to see God enact vengeance on our foes. Crush 'em like a bug, Lord!! Because if God crushes them, we can still claim our moral high ground because we didn't do the deed, right? But isn't wishing that bad things will befall someone - even at the hand of God - wrong? I think so...
Father, forgive us for our vengeful spirit. As we pray for blessings on those we love, we also pray for blessings on those we need to love better. Amen.
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We see God’s “vengeance” on the enemies of God every time a sinful person turns away from sin, dies in the waters of baptism, and is raised as a new creation. I was once an enemy of God and I am so thankful for his loving vengeance on the sin that enslaved me.