Daily Readings - Wed Aug 07 2024
Jeremiah
1"At that time, declares the LORD, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people."2Thus says the LORD: "The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest,3the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.4Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.5Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and shall enjoy the fruit.6For there shall be a day when watchmen will call in the hill country of Ephraim: 'Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.'"7For thus says the LORD: "Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, 'O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.'
Matthew
21And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.22And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon."23But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying out after us."24He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."25But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me."26And he answered, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."27She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."28Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful expressions of God’s mercy and the boundless reach of His love. The first reading from Jeremiah speaks of a time when God will restore His people, Israel, after a period of exile and hardship. The prophet describes a future where God will draw His people back to Himself with eternal love and rebuild their lives. This passage is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, a time of great suffering and separation from the land. Yet, Jeremiah’s words are not ones of despair but of hope, reminding the people that God’s love endures even in the darkest moments. The image of Israel as a virgin adorned with timbrels and singing with joy underscores the transformative power of God’s mercy.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to a Gentile woman, a Canaanite, who approaches Jesus with a desperate plea for her afflicted daughter. At first, Jesus seems reluctant, stating that His mission is primarily to the lost sheep of Israel. However, the woman’s persistence and faith move Him to act. Her humility and trust in His power lead to a miraculous healing. This encounter takes place in the region of Tyre and Sidon, outside the traditional Jewish territory, symbolizing the expanding scope of Jesus’ mission. The woman’s faith is not deterred by initial rejection; instead, she clings to the hope that even the crumbs of God’s mercy are enough to bring healing.
These readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on trust and perseverance in prayer. Jeremiah’s prophecy reminds us that God’s love is not confined to a particular people or time but is eternal and transformative. The Canaanite woman’s story shows us that faith can bridge even the widest divides, and God’s mercy is available to all who seek Him with an open heart. In our own lives, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when the path seems uncertain. Like the Canaanite woman, we must approach God with persistence and humility, knowing that His love knows no bounds. Let us draw strength from these readings, remembering that God’s mercy is always within reach, and His love endures forever.