Daily Readings - Tue Jul 28 2020
Jeremiah
17And you shall speak this word to them: Let my eyes shed tears throughout the night and day, and let them not cease. For the virgin daughter of my people has been crushed by a great affliction, by a very grievous wound.18"If I go out into the fields: behold, those slain by the sword. And if I enter into the city: behold, those weakened by famine. Likewise, the prophet, too, and the priest, have gone into a land that they did not know19Could you have utterly cast out Judah? Or has your soul abhorred Zion? Then why have you struck us, so much so that there is no health for us? We have waited for peace, but there is nothing good, and for the time of healing, and behold, trouble20O Lord, we acknowledge our impieties, the iniquities of our fathers, that we have sinned against you21For the sake of your name, do not give us over into disgrace. And do not dishonor in us the throne of your glory. Remember, do not make void, your covenant with us22Could any of the graven images of the Gentiles send rain? Or are the heavens able to give showers? Have we not hoped in you, the Lord our God? For you have made all these things.
Matthew
36Then, dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. And his disciples drew near to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.37Responding, he said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of man38Now the field is the world. And the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. But the weeds are the sons of wickedness39So the enemy who sowed them is the devil. And truly, the harvest is the consummation of the age; while the reapers are the Angels40Therefore, just as weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the consummation of the age41The Son of man shall send out his Angels, and they shall gather from his kingdom all who lead astray and those who work iniquity42And he shall cast them into the furnace of fire, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth43Then the just ones shall shine like the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on suffering, judgment, and the enduring hope of God’s mercy. The first reading from Jeremiah expresses the prophet’s deep sorrow over the affliction of God’s people. Jeremiah laments the suffering of Judah, which he sees as a result of sin, yet he also cries out to God for mercy, acknowledging the people’s failures and pleading for restoration. This passage reminds us that even in the midst of pain and uncertainty, we can turn to God with honesty and trust, confessing our sins and hoping in His faithfulness.
The Gospel reading from Matthew offers a complementary perspective through Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the weeds. Jesus reveals that the world is a field where both good and evil coexist, sown by God and the devil respectively. The separation of the weeds from the wheat will only occur at the end of time, when God’s justice will be fully revealed. This parable teaches us about patience and discernment in our daily lives. Just as the farmer waits for the proper time to separate the wheat from the weeds, we too must trust in God’s plan and timing, even when evil seems to flourish around us.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and the world around us. Jeremiah’s lament encourages us to acknowledge our sins and turn to God with humility, while Jesus’ parable reminds us to trust in His ultimate triumph over evil. In our daily lives, we are called to persevere in faith, knowing that God’s justice and mercy will prevail. Let us strive to be the “good wheat,” rooted in love and integrity, and trust that God will bring His plan to fruition in His time.