The prophet Jeremiah lived in a period of turmoil, conflict, and denial of  truth. He had the difficult task of being the nation’s truth teller. From 627 BCE until the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BCE, Jeremiah lived and prophesied among people, who scorned his words and his efforts. While he desperately, tried to save the city, from its unnecessary fate of  destruction and exile to Babylon, that ultimately followed.

No one wants to hear how their country has deceived itself. Especially those in power, basking in the luxury of their wealth.

If Jeremiah could have, he would have been silent and never spoken of danger to come, uncomfortable words, or unwanted truth. Jeremiah is insulted and ridiculed, because he speaks against the commonly accepted worldview of  Jerusalem. Being, both the brunt of jokes and too often, retribution, he lashes out at God. “O Lord, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.” Jeremiah 20:7

Jeremiah feels the deep pain of rejection, loneliness, and despair. Yet if he tries to be silent, he says it is as if, “Within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with withholding it in, and I cannot.” Jeremiah 20:9

Speaking a truth, you’d rather not, can be a difficult place to find oneself in. For many today, that burning “fire in their bones,” burns deep and wide. To not speak against multiple injustices, seen across the nation today, is to deny the word of God in us. Faithfulness to God requires honesty, and integrity, in the living and in the speaking of God’s word.

Given a year of multiple injustices coming from Washington, whether an effort, to suppress votes of minorities, twisting and manipulation in today’s immigration enforcement, environmental safe guards eroded, medical standards abandoned, or ignoring needs of the most vulnerable, God’s word burns in the hearts of today’s prophets.

We do not like hearing words which are contrary to our view of the world, and especially our political leanings. In our fractured nation, we want affirmation for our beliefs, not questioning of our moral judgement. Fortunate are those living in receptive places, where the price of speaking a prophetic word is not nearly as costly, as serving where speaking God’s truth is received with anger and abuse.

This week, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. There will be celebrations, fireworks, family gatherings, speeches and programs honoring heroic people who have come before us.

As we listen, may we listen for the voice of the prophets, ones who spoke truth in difficult times. Whose words broke the bonds of slavery, ended child labor, insisted on human rights for all, and broke through racial boundaries. Recognizing as well, prophets among us, who are speaking against injustice, while working for a fairer and most just world today.

May this celebration year be one of listening to the prophets,  and may we find our own voice, to speak out against inequality, making a stand for God’s truth. For patriotism requires, prophetic voices, who speak truth to power, upholding compassion, equality, mercy, justice and love, as benchmarks of a nation, that gives cause for all of us to celebrate its 250 years.