Daily Readings - Wed Jul 27 2022
Jeremiah
10Woe is me, my mother, that you bore me, a man of strife and contention to the whole land! I have not lent, nor have I borrowed, yet all of them curse me.16Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.17I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation.18Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?19Therefore thus says the LORD: "If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.20And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD.21I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless."
Matthew
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,46who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the cost and joy of following God’s will. In the first reading, Jeremiah laments the burden of his prophetic mission, feeling isolated and misunderstood. Yet, despite his suffering, he acknowledges that God’s word has brought him joy and that he has been called to stand as a strong, unwavering witness. This passage reminds us that living according to God’s plan often requires sacrifice and perseverance, but it also offers a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses two parables to describe the kingdom of heaven: the treasure hidden in a field and the pearl of great value. Both parables emphasize the extraordinary worth of spiritual treasure and the radical commitment required to attain it. The man who finds the treasure sells everything to buy the field, and the merchant sells all his possessions for the pearl. These stories teach us that the kingdom of heaven is not something we can attain halfway; it demands our wholehearted dedication and joy. Just as Jeremiah embraced his mission despite its challenges, we too are called to prioritize God’s will above all else.
These readings challenge us to examine our own commitment to living as disciples of Christ. Are we willing to let go of worldly attachments and trust in God’s plan, even when it leads us through difficult terrain? The moral lesson here is clear: true joy and fulfillment come from seeking God above all else. Like the treasure and the pearl, the kingdom of heaven is worth sacrificing everything for. Let us pray for the courage to follow God’s will with open hearts, trusting that He will guide us through every trial and bring us to eternal life.