Everything changes?

The local opinion from an observer of the Pope's visit to Mexico is that "everything changes, the Pope must change too". The message of change is part of the Word to humanity from the beginning of our history of being called to greater intimacy with the Divine. The Roman Catholic Lectionary today uses passages from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah and the Gospel of John to highlight a response of people to the call to life giving change. The Prophet Jeremiah, according to Friar Jude Winkler, is thought of as one who is cursing the Israelites and bringing disastrous changes to their social and political lives. This rejection of his actual message of the desire of God for them to change and return to their former practice of attending to the leadership of God in their lives is so strong that Jeremiah fears for his life.  The debate caused by Jesus messages to the people in Jerusalem centre around His nature and the impossibility, in spite of the observation that "Never before has anyone spoken like this man." (John 7:46). Nicodemus is moved to offer the people the wisdom of their tradition of not condemning a man before he has a chance to be heard. The parallel between those who carry the message of God today and the situations of Jesus and Jeremiah is strong. The remedy and prayer of the psalmist still applies "My God in you I take refuge" and "save me from all my pursuers.