Daily Readings - Fri Jul 27 2018
Jeremiah
14Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.15"'And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.16And when you have multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, declares the LORD, they shall no more say, "The ark of the covenant of the LORD." It shall not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again.17At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart.
Matthew
18"Hear then the parable of the sower:19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.20As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,21yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.22As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.23As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear God's call to return to Him and the importance of how we receive His word. Jeremiah, speaking during the Babylonian exile, urges Israel to repent and promises a future where Jerusalem will be the Throne of the Lord, gathering all nations. This vision of restoration highlights God's enduring love and His desire for His people to return to Him.
In the Gospel, Matthew explains the parable of the sower, illustrating how the condition of our hearts affects our reception of God's word. The roadside represents those who do not understand, the rocky ground those who lack depth, the thorny soil those distracted by worldly cares, and the good soil those who bear fruit. This parable emphasizes the need for a receptive and nurturing heart to cultivate spiritual growth.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded to evaluate our own hearts. Are we like the good soil, allowing God's word to take root and flourish? Or do we let the challenges and distractions of life hinder our spiritual growth? Jeremiah's promise of restoration and Jesus' parable call us to remain faithful and rooted in God's love. By doing so, we can bear fruit, living a life that reflects God's presence in the world. Let us strive to cultivate hearts that are open, receptive, and committed to His word.