Daily Readings - Thu Aug 01 2024
Jeremiah
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.
Matthew
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 two powerful images that invite us to reflect on God’s creative power and our response to His will. The first reading from Jeremiah describes the prophet’s visit to the potter’s house, where he observes the potter shaping clay into a vessel. When the vessel does not turn out as intended, the potter simply starts over, reshaping the clay into something new. This scene serves as a metaphor for God’s relationship with Israel—and with us. Just as the potter works with clay, God shapes and reshapes us, calling us to be open to His purposes, even when the process is difficult or uncertain.
The Gospel reading from Matthew offers a complementary image: the parable of the net cast into the sea. This net gathers all kinds of fish, good and bad alike, and only when it is full are the fish sorted out. Jesus explains that this will happen at the end of the age, when the angels will separate the righteous from the wicked. This parable reminds us that our lives are a time of preparation and discernment. Just as the potter shapes the clay with care, we are called to allow God to shape us into vessels of holiness, living in a way that reflects the values of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Together, these readings invite us to consider our openness to God’s transforming work in our lives. Like the clay in the potter’s hands, we must surrender to His will, trusting that He knows what He is creating in us. At the same time, the parable of the net challenges us to examine how we are living each day, ensuring that our actions and choices align with the call to holiness. May we embrace the process of being shaped by God, and may we strive to live in such a way that, when the time of judgment comes, we will be counted among the good, ready to shine forth in the light of His love.