The prophet Jeremiah by Michelangelo
When watching the Bible TV series tonight I saw how badly the prophet Jeremiah was treated when he tried to tell the King of Israel about impending disaster and what he could do to prevent it. When the disaster came, the invasion of the Babylonians, they were interested in what he had to say but by this time it was too late.
For the first time this year the Stations of the Cross at Marquette on Good Friday do not seem to be attracting much attention. This might change in the next few days but it might mean some success in Marquette’s picking on me and ignoring our message. I am no Jeremiah but I am warning Marquette to repent for the sin of teaching killing on campus and to teach war no more. Nowadays they do not beat and torture messengers but more effectively just ignore them and if they get heard marginalize and ignore them.
When I was in Maximum Security State prison back in the 60’s for the Milwaukee 14 action I was meeting with the assistant warden of treatment about prison conditions. He was talking about how good the physical conditions of the prison when I told him the harsh part of prison was not physical conditions but what I called ‘psychological torture’. My examples were the limit at the time for visits from family and friends, the censorship of incoming and outgoing mail and the demeaning style and lack of respect of some of the guards. He did not want to hear any of this so soon I was on my way back to the cell with a warning.
People criticize me for speaking what is on my mind and not self censoring. Yes, I could use more tact but if tact means ‘keeping silent’ on concerns of injustice and immorality I just cannot do it.
It is simple, really, to be a prophet, just say, do and be the message.
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