Daily Readings - Thu Jul 28 2022
Jeremiah
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:2"Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words."3So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel.4And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.5Then the word of the LORD came to me:6"O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
Matthew
47"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.48When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.49So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous50and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.51"Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes."52And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful metaphors that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our spiritual journey. The first reading from Jeremiah presents the image of a potter shaping clay, symbolizing God's sovereign and loving hand in our lives. Just as the potter molds and reshapes the clay, God works in our lives, guiding us through trials and challenges to form us into the people He desires us to be. This passage reminds us of God's patience and mercy, as He continually offers us opportunities to grow closer to Him.
The Gospel reading from Matthew offers another metaphor, this time comparing the kingdom of heaven to a net that gathers all kinds of fish. This parable emphasizes the ultimate separation between good and evil at the end of time. It calls us to examine our lives and discern between what is good and what is not, aligning our choices with God's will. Together, these readings remind us that we are called to be open to God's shaping and to strive for holiness, knowing that our decisions have eternal consequences.
As we reflect on these readings, let us surrender to God's plan, trusting in His wisdom and love. May we allow Him to shape us like clay in His hands, and may we live with integrity, preparing our hearts for the day when we will stand before Him. Let us choose to be among the righteous, living lives that reflect God's love and truth.