Daily Readings - Sun Aug 17 2025
Jeremiah
4Then the officials said to the king, "Let this man be put to death, for he is weakening the hands of the soldiers who are left in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm."5King Zedekiah said, "Behold, he is in your hands, for the king can do nothing against you."6So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king's son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud.8Ebed-melech went from the king's house and said to the king,9"My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they did to Jeremiah the prophet by casting him into the cistern, and he will die there of hunger, for there is no bread left in the city."10Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, "Take three men with you from here, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies."
Hebrews
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.3Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Luke
49"I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!50I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!51Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.52For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of faith, perseverance, and the transformative power of God's presence in our lives. The first reading from Jeremiah recounts the prophet's persecution and eventual rescue, highlighting the tension between speaking truth and facing opposition. Jeremiah's unwavering commitment to his divine mission, despite the danger, serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith. The second reading from Hebrews encourages us to persevere through life's challenges by fixing our gaze on Jesus, who endured immense suffering for our sake. This passage reminds us that our struggles are not in vain, as they draw us closer to God and refine our character. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus as the source of both fire and division, challenging us to reevaluate our priorities and allegiances. Jesus’ words remind us that following Him may lead to conflict, but it is through this tension that we are purified and strengthened.
These readings are deeply interconnected, as they all point to the transformative power of faith and the necessity of perseverance in the face of adversity. Jeremiah’s courage in the face of persecution, the encouragement to endure in Hebrews, and Jesus’ call to radical commitment all invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God. They challenge us to examine whether we are willing to stand firm in our faith, even when it leads to difficulty or division. In a world that often values comfort and conformity, these readings call us to embrace the transformative power of God’s grace, even when it disrupts our lives.
In our daily lives, we are often faced with choices that test our commitment to our faith. These readings remind us that living as disciples of Christ is not always easy, but it is through these challenges that we grow closer to God. We are called to be like Jeremiah, speaking truth even when it is unpopular, and like the early Christians, enduring hardship with patience and hope. Jesus’ words about division remind us that our ultimate allegiance must be to Him, even if it means facing tension or conflict. As we navigate the complexities of our lives, let us draw strength from these readings, trusting in God’s providence and grace to sustain us through every trial.