Daily Readings - Tue Jul 28 2020
Jeremiah
17"You shall say to them this word: 'Let my eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease, for the virgin daughter of my people is shattered with a great wound, with a very grievous blow.18If I go out into the field, behold, those pierced by the sword! And if I enter the city, behold, the diseases of famine! For both prophet and priest ply their trade through the land and have no knowledge.'"19Have you utterly rejected Judah? Does your soul loathe Zion? Why have you struck us down so that there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but no good came; for a time of healing, but behold, terror.20We acknowledge our wickedness, O LORD, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you.21Do not spurn us, for your name's sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne; remember and do not break your covenant with us.22Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are you not he, O LORD our God? We set our hope on you, for you do all these things.
Matthew
36Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."37He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.38The field is the world, and the good seed is the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,39and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels.40Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age.41The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,42and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, 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.