Daily Readings - Thu Aug 02 2018
Jeremiah
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying2"Rise up and descend into the house of the potter, and there you will hear my words.3And I descended into the house of the potter, and behold, he was making a work on the wheel4And the vessel, which he was making with his hands out of clay, broke. And turning away, he made another vessel, for it had been pleasing in his eyes to make it5Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying6"Am I not able to do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done, says the Lord? Behold, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel
Matthew
47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea, which gathers together all kinds of fish48When it has been filled, drawing it out and sitting beside the shore, they selected the good into vessels, but the bad they threw away49So shall it be at the consummation of the age. The Angels shall go forth and separate the bad from the midst of the just50And they shall cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth51Have you understood all these things?" They say to him, "Yes.52He said to them, "Therefore, every scribe well-taught about the kingdom of heaven, is like a man, the father of a family, who offers from his storehouse both the new and the old.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful metaphors that guide us in understanding God's transformative power and our role within His plan. Jeremiah's visit to the potter's house in the first reading illustrates God's sovereignty and creative authority over His people. The potter, shaping and reshaping clay, mirrors God's ability to form and reform Israel, offering both judgment and the promise of redemption. This metaphor reminds us of God's patience and our malleability in His hands, inviting us to remain open to His will.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a parable of a net cast into the sea, gathering all kinds of fish. This imagery speaks to the inclusive nature of the Kingdom of Heaven, where all are drawn in, but ultimately separated based on their worthiness. The parable underscores the reality of judgment, where the good are treasured and the bad are discarded. It challenges us to discern between the influences in our lives, embracing the good and rejecting the bad, as we prepare for the ultimate judgment.
Both readings connect through themes of transformation and judgment. Jeremiah's potter emphasizes God's active role in shaping us, while Matthew's parable calls us to live with purpose, aware of the separation to come. As followers of Christ, we are called to be like the scribe who brings forth both old and new treasures, sharing the Good News with wisdom and understanding. May we trust in God's plan, live with intention, and be faithful stewards of His teachings, ever ready to share the richness of our faith.