Daily Readings - Thu Jul 28 2022
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 invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our spiritual journey. The first reading from Jeremiah presents the image of a potter shaping clay, symbolizing God's sovereign and loving hand in our lives. Just as the potter molds and reshapes the clay, God works in our lives, guiding us through trials and challenges to form us into the people He desires us to be. This passage reminds us of God's patience and mercy, as He continually offers us opportunities to grow closer to Him.
The Gospel reading from Matthew offers another metaphor, this time comparing the kingdom of heaven to a net that gathers all kinds of fish. This parable emphasizes the ultimate separation between good and evil at the end of time. It calls us to examine our lives and discern between what is good and what is not, aligning our choices with God's will. Together, these readings remind us that we are called to be open to God's shaping and to strive for holiness, knowing that our decisions have eternal consequences.
As we reflect on these readings, let us surrender to God's plan, trusting in His wisdom and love. May we allow Him to shape us like clay in His hands, and may we live with integrity, preparing our hearts for the day when we will stand before Him. Let us choose to be among the righteous, living lives that reflect God's love and truth.