Daily Readings - Mon Jul 29 2024
Jeremiah
1Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.2So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins.3And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying,4Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock.5So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me.6And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.7Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing.8Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,9Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.10This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.11For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.
Gospel - John 11.17-27 or Luke 10.38-42
John
17Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.18Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:19And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.20Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.21Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.22But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Luke
38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that invite us to reflect on faith, hope, and the consequences of our choices. The first reading from Jeremiah presents a vivid metaphor: a waistcloth that rots away, symbolizing the spiritual decay of Judah and Jerusalem. This once symbol of closeness to God becomes worthless, much like our lives when we turn away from Him. The context is one of warning, urging us to recognize the futility of life without God.
In contrast, the Gospel offers a message of hope. Jesus, in His conversation with Martha, reveals Himself as the Resurrection and the Life. Martha's faith, though tinged with doubt, is met with Jesus' assurance of eternal life for believers. This exchange emphasizes that while sin leads to decay, faith in Jesus brings life. The two readings thus form a bridge: Jeremiah warns of the consequences of spiritual decay, while John points to the hope found in Jesus.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to examine our relationship with God. Like the waistcloth, our lives can become empty without Him. Yet, through faith in Jesus, we find purpose and eternal life. Let us nurture our faith, trusting in God's promise, even in times of doubt or hardship. For in Him, we find the source of all life and hope.