Daily Readings - Thu Aug 04 2022
Jeremiah
31"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,32not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD.33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.34And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
Matthew
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"16Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."17And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."20Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.21From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you."23But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound insights into God’s relationship with humanity and the establishment of His Church. The first reading from Jeremiah 31:31-34 speaks of a new covenant, where God’s law will be written on the hearts of His people, fostering a deep, personal relationship with Him. This prophecy points to a future where knowing God is intrinsic, a far cry from the external observances of the past. The context is one of hope and renewal, assuring the people of Israel that despite their failures, God remains faithful and will establish a covenant that transforms hearts.
In the Gospel, Matthew 16:13-23, Jesus shifts the focus from public opinion to personal confession. Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, is pivotal. Jesus establishes Peter as the rock of His Church, granting him authority and emphasizing the Church’s role in God’s plan. However, this is followed by Jesus’ prediction of His suffering and Peter’s resistance, highlighting the tension between human understanding and divine will. This narrative underscores the Church’s foundation on faith and the necessity of embracing God’s plan, even when it challenges our own desires.
These readings connect through the theme of covenant and faith. Jeremiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in Christ, who through His Church, invites all to a personal relationship with God. Peter’s confession and subsequent struggle remind us that living out our faith requires trusting in God’s will, even when it’s difficult. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this new covenant, living with hearts open to God’s presence and trusting in His plan, even when it leads us through trials. Let us reflect on our own faith journey, seeking to deepen our personal relationship with God and trust in His divine plan.