In today's readings, we hear from the prophet Jeremiah and we hear from our Lord Himself, who both speak to us about a particular way in which God speaks to us, that is, through symbols and figures and parables. And we will see that He does this only because He wants us to delve deeper into what He's trying to impress upon us. He is always calling us back to Him, to His ways of doing things: love, mercy, generosity, and service.