Daily Readings - Wed Aug 03 2022

Jeremiah

1At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.2Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.3The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.4Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.5Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.6For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.7For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.

Matthew

21Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.22And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.23But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.24But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.25Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.26But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.27And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.28Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of hope, restoration, and the boundless mercy of God. The first reading from Jeremiah speaks to a people in exile, offering them a vision of renewal and return. God’s promise to rebuild and restore Israel is a testament to His eternal love and faithfulness. The prophet’s words are not just a historical message but a timeless assurance that God’s mercy endures even in the darkest of times. The image of Israel as a virgin adorned with timbrels and planting vineyards symbolizes the joy and fruitfulness that come from trusting in God’s plan. In the Gospel, we meet a Canaanite woman whose persistence and faith challenge Jesus to extend His mission beyond the boundaries of Israel. Her plea for her daughter’s healing reveals the universality of God’s mercy, as Jesus ultimately praises her faith and grants her request. This encounter reminds us that God’s love is not confined to a chosen few but is available to all who call upon Him with sincerity and perseverance. The woman’s humility and determination teach us to approach God with trust, even when the answers to our prayers are not immediately clear. These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Like the exiled Israelites, we may face moments of uncertainty and despair, but Jeremiah’s prophecy encourages us to hold fast to God’s promises. Like the Canaanite woman, we are called to pray with persistence and faith, trusting that God’s mercy can reach even the most marginalized. Let us open our hearts to the boundless love of God, who desires to heal and restore us all. May we, like the woman, cry out with faith, knowing that God’s grace is always within reach.