Daily Readings - Tue Aug 04 2020
Jeremiah
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:2"Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.12"For thus says the LORD: Your hurt is incurable, and your wound is grievous.13There is none to uphold your cause, no medicine for your wound, no healing for you.14All your lovers have forgotten you; they care nothing for you; for I have dealt you the blow of an enemy, the punishment of a merciless foe, because your guilt is great, because your sins are flagrant.15Why do you cry out over your hurt? Your pain is incurable. Because your guilt is great, because your sins are flagrant, I have done these things to you.18"Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob and have compassion on his dwellings; the city shall be rebuilt on its mound, and the palace shall stand where it used to be.19Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving, and the voices of those who celebrate. I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will make them honored, and they shall not be small.20Their children shall be as they were of old, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all who oppress them.21Their prince shall be one of themselves; their ruler shall come out from their midst; I will make him draw near, and he shall approach me, for who would dare of himself to approach me? declares the LORD.22And you shall be my people, and I will be your God."
Matthew
1Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,2"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat."10And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and understand:11it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person."12Then the disciples came and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"13He answered, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.14Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between God’s healing grace and our own need for inner transformation. In the first reading from Jeremiah, we hear a message of both judgment and hope. The prophet speaks of Israel’s deep wounds and incurable fractures, caused by their stubborn sins and refusal to turn back to God. Yet, even in the midst of this suffering, God promises restoration: the tabernacles of Jacob will be rebuilt, the people will be multiplied, and their ruler will come from among them. This is a testament to God’s faithfulness and mercy, even when His people have wandered far from Him.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges the Pharisees and his disciples to rethink what truly matters in living a holy life. The Pharisees are concerned with outward traditions, like washing hands before eating, but Jesus points out that it is not what enters the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the heart. He emphasizes that true purity comes from within, and that outward observances are meaningless if they do not reflect a transformed heart. This teaching is a call to examine our own lives: are we more focused on appearances and rules, or are we allowing God to work deeply within us, changing our hearts and minds?
These readings are connected by the theme of healing and transformation. Jeremiah’s message of restoration and Jesus’ teaching on inner purity remind us that God is always at work to heal and renew us. However, this healing requires us to acknowledge our brokenness and to turn to Him with humble and open hearts. In our daily lives, we are often tempted to focus on external fixes or superficial changes, but the readings today call us to look deeper. Let us ask ourselves: Where am I holding onto sin or stubbornness? How can I allow God to heal and transform me from within? By trusting in His mercy and surrendering to His will, we can experience the restoration and renewal that only He can provide.