October 2, 2027

5III. Baruch’s Poem of Consolation A. Baruch Addresses Diaspora - Take courage, my people! Remember, O Israel, 6You were sold to the nations not for destruction; It was because you angered God that you were handed over to your foes. 7For you provoked your Maker with sacrifices to demons and not to God; 8You forgot the eternal God who nourished you, and you grieved Jerusalem who nurtured you. 9She indeed saw coming upon you the wrath of God; and she said: B. Jerusalem Addresses Neighbors - “Hear, you neighbors of Zion! God has brought great mourning upon me, 10For I have seen the captivity that the Eternal One has brought upon my sons and daughters. 11With joy I nurtured them; but with mourning and lament I sent them away. 12Let no one gloat over me, a widow, bereft of many; For the sins of my children I am left desolate, because they turned from the law of God, 27Take courage, my children; call out to God! The one who brought this upon you will remember you. 28As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, so turn now ten times the more to seek him; 29For the one who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring you eternal joy.”

33“See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, take heart! 34For the LORD hears the poor, and does not spurn those in bondage. 35Let the heaven and the earth praise him, the seas and whatever moves in them!” 36VI - For God will rescue Zion, and rebuild the cities of Judah. They will dwell there and possess it; 37the descendants of God’s servants will inherit it; those who love God’s name will dwell in it.

21Bless the LORD, all you his hosts, his ministers who carry out his will.

1At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2He called a child over, placed it in their midst, 3and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. 10“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.