Daily Readings - Wed Aug 07 2024
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 expressions of God’s mercy and the boundless reach of His love. The first reading from Jeremiah speaks of a time when God will restore His people, Israel, after a period of exile and hardship. The prophet describes a future where God will draw His people back to Himself with eternal love and rebuild their lives. This passage is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, a time of great suffering and separation from the land. Yet, Jeremiah’s words are not ones of despair but of hope, reminding the people that God’s love endures even in the darkest moments. The image of Israel as a virgin adorned with timbrels and singing with joy underscores the transformative power of God’s mercy.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to a Gentile woman, a Canaanite, who approaches Jesus with a desperate plea for her afflicted daughter. At first, Jesus seems reluctant, stating that His mission is primarily to the lost sheep of Israel. However, the woman’s persistence and faith move Him to act. Her humility and trust in His power lead to a miraculous healing. This encounter takes place in the region of Tyre and Sidon, outside the traditional Jewish territory, symbolizing the expanding scope of Jesus’ mission. The woman’s faith is not deterred by initial rejection; instead, she clings to the hope that even the crumbs of God’s mercy are enough to bring healing.
These readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on trust and perseverance in prayer. Jeremiah’s prophecy reminds us that God’s love is not confined to a particular people or time but is eternal and transformative. The Canaanite woman’s story shows us that faith can bridge even the widest divides, and God’s mercy is available to all who seek Him with an open heart. In our own lives, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when the path seems uncertain. Like the Canaanite woman, we must approach God with persistence and humility, knowing that His love knows no bounds. Let us draw strength from these readings, remembering that God’s mercy is always within reach, and His love endures forever.