Daily Readings - Sat Jul 27 2024
Jeremiah
1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,2Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.3Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.4Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these.5For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour;6If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:7Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.8Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.9Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;10And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?11Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.
Matthew
24Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages that call us to reflect on our relationship with God and our life of faith. The first reading from Jeremiah challenges us to examine the integrity of our actions and intentions. Standing at the gates of the temple, Jeremiah warns the people of Judah not to rely on the temple’s presence as a guarantee of safety or holiness. He calls them to live justly, to care for the vulnerable, and to reject false idols. The temple, he says, is not a refuge for sin but a place where God dwells among those who are faithful and upright. Jeremiah’s words are a stark reminder that our worship and devotion must be matched by our commitment to justice and holiness in daily life.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents us with a parable about the kingdom of heaven, likening it to a field where both wheat and weeds grow together. Jesus teaches that the master allows both to grow until the harvest, lest the wheat be uprooted along with the weeds. This parable invites us to trust in God’s patience and wisdom, recognizing that good and evil often coexist in this world. It reminds us that judgment is ultimately God’s work, not ours, and that our task is to focus on growing in holiness and letting God handle the rest.
Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not merely about words or rituals but about living in a way that reflects God’s justice and love. Jeremiah warns against complacency and false security, while Jesus encourages patience and trust in God’s plan. In our daily lives, we are called to examine our intentions and actions, to live with integrity, and to trust that God will ultimately separate good from evil. May we strive to be the wheat that grows strong and fruitful, trusting in God’s mercy and judgment, and living in a way that honors His name.