Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 28, 2022
First Reading: Jeremiah 18.1-6
1The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,2Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.3Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.4And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.5Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,6O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Psalm 146
1Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.2While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.3Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.4His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.5Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:6Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:7Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:8The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:9The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.10The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.
Gospel: Matthew 13.47-52
47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:48Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.51Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.52Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and 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.