Ebed-Melech, a friend for Jeremiah, and Jesus a friend for us: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Listen to the homily here.

Notes:

Ebed-melech as Jeremiah was put into a cistern

·      Salvation history

o   Jeremiah sharing tough news—exile and the destruction of their homes, the temple and 70 years away from home

·      Protected him

·      That is service even facing with danger

·      "My lord king,
these men have been at fault
in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah,
casting him into the cistern. 
He will die of famine on the spot,
for there is no more food in the city." 
Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Cushite
to take three men along with him,
and draw the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before
he should die.”

o  Not only throw down ropes, but also rags to protect “his armpits!”

When we experience tough times, we need friends:

·      “A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter: he that has found one has found a treasure.  There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend, and no scales can measure his excellence.  A faithful friend is an elixir of life; and those who fear the Lord will find him. Whoever fears the Lord directs his friendship aright, for as he is, so is his neighbor also.”

Whether you are the one in hard times, or those to pick up your friend, friendship is a crucial relationship to keep going forward, like Ebed-melech