Daily Readings - Fri Jul 24 2020
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 journey through themes of divine call, receptivity, and the fruitful living of faith. The first reading from Jeremiah invites us to a future where God's presence is universally acknowledged, transcending physical symbols like the Ark of the Covenant. This vision emphasizes a new covenant where God's leaders guide His people with wisdom, leading to a time of gathering and worship in Jerusalem. The context here is one of redemption and communal transformation, urging us to return to God with open hearts.
The Gospel from Matthew, part of the parable of the sower, shifts focus to the individual's response to God's word. Jesus illustrates four types of soil, each representing different receptivity to the divine message. The seed's fate—snatched away, lacking root, choked by thorns, or flourishing in good soil—mirrors our own hearts' conditions. This parable challenges us to reflect on how we receive God's word, whether we allow it to take root and bear fruit amidst life's challenges and distractions.
Connecting these readings, we see a harmony between communal and individual faith. Jeremiah's vision of a redeemed community is nurtured when individuals cultivate fertile hearts, as described in Matthew. This interplay calls us to examine our personal receptivity and our role within the community. The moral lesson is clear: faith requires more than hearing; it demands understanding, perseverance, and living out God's word. By tending to our spiritual soil, we can bear fruit, contributing to a community where God's presence is vibrant and transformative. Let us strive to be good soil, embracing God's word and fostering a fruitful, faith-filled life.