Daily Readings - Mon Aug 03 2020
Jeremiah
1In that same year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, Hananiah the son of Azzur, the prophet from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and all the people, saying,2"Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.3Within two years I will bring back to this place all the vessels of the LORD's house, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon.4I will also bring back to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles from Judah who went to Babylon, declares the LORD, for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon."5Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the LORD,6and the prophet Jeremiah said, "Amen! May the LORD do so; may the LORD make the words that you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the LORD, and all the exiles.7Yet hear now this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people.8The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms.9As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the LORD has truly sent the prophet."10Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke-bars from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet and broke them.11And Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, "Thus says the LORD: Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all the nations within two years." But Jeremiah the prophet went his way.12Sometime after the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke-bars from off the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:13"Go, tell Hananiah, 'Thus says the LORD: You have broken wooden bars, but you have made in their place bars of iron.14For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: I have put upon the neck of all these nations an iron yoke to serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they shall serve him, for I have given to him even the beasts of the field.'"15And Jeremiah the prophet said to the prophet Hananiah, "Listen, Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie.16Therefore thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against the LORD.'"17In that same year, in the seventh month, the prophet Hananiah died.
Matthew
22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,24but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.25And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear.27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."28And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."29He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."34And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.35And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick36and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on the essence of faith and trust in God. The story from Jeremiah and the Gospel of Matthew both present scenarios where individuals are challenged to discern God's true message amidst turmoil.
The first reading from Jeremiah is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, a period of great turmoil for the people of Judah. Jeremiah, a true prophet, faces opposition from Hananiah, who delivers a false prophecy of swift deliverance. This context highlights the struggle between true and false hope, emphasizing the importance of standing firm in God's truth, even when it is met with resistance.
In the Gospel, Matthew recounts the story of Jesus walking on water, a moment of divine revelation for the disciples. Peter's attempt to walk on water, followed by his doubt and rescue by Jesus, illustrates the human experience of faith—eager yet sometimes faltering. This narrative underscores the need to trust in God's presence and power, especially during life's storms.
Both readings remind us of the importance of discernment and faith. In our daily lives, we often face challenges that require us to distinguish between true and false guidance. Like Jeremiah, we must remain steadfast in God's truth, even when it is unpopular. Like Peter, we may experience moments of doubt, but Jesus' promise to save us is ever-present.
The moral lesson here is clear: Faith is not about the absence of doubt but about trusting in God's plan and seeking His guidance. In times of uncertainty, we are called to discern true prophecy from false hope and to place our trust in God, who is always with us, even in the midst of life's tempests. Let us embrace this faith, knowing that God's grace is available to us whenever we call upon Him.