Does Anything Ever Change?

After reading the following passage from Isaiah I asked myself, "How can I possible comply with the the requirement ' not to hear of bloodshed' or 'not to look on evil'?" 

Isaiah 33:15-16

Whoever walks righteously and speaks honestly,

Who spurns what is gained by 0ppression,

Who waves off contact with a bribe,

Who stops his ears so as not to hear of bloodshed,

Who closes his eyes so as not to look on evil,

That one shall dwell on the heights …

Even if we can be righteous, spurn ill-gotten gains and refuse bribes, who among us can be free of the sound of bloodshed and the visions of evil around us?

Even Jeremiah could not follow Isaiah’s prescription to “dwell on the heights”.

Today’s Canticle from morning prayer, 

Jeremiah 14:17-21

Speak to them this word:

Let my eyes stream with tears night and day, without rest,

Over the great destruction which overwhelms the virgin daughter of my people over her incurable wound.

If I walk out into the field, look! those slain by the sword;

If I enter the city, look! victims of famine.

Both prophet and priest ply their trade in a land they do not know.

Have you really cast Judah off?

Is Zion loathsome to you?

Why have you struck us a blow that cannot be healed?

We wait for peace, to no avail;

For a time of healing,

But terror comes instead.

 But he does not leave us without a remedy for our woes.

He advises admission of our offenses ---

We recognize our wickedness, LORD, the guilt of our ancestors:

we have sinned against you.

and calls on God for mercy ---

Do not reject us, for your name’s sake,

Do not disgrace your glorious throne.

Remember! Do not break your covenant with us.

and recognizes the greatness of the Lord ---

Among the idols of the nations are there any that give rain?

Or can the mere heavens send showers?

Is it not you, LORD, our God, to whom we look? 

You alone do all these things.