Daily Readings - Thu Aug 02 2018
Jeremiah
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:2"Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words."3So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel.4And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.5Then the word of the LORD came to me:6"O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
Matthew
47"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.48When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.49So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous50and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.51"Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes."52And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is 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.