Daily Readings - Fri Jul 27 2018
Jeremiah
14"Return, faithless people," declares the LORD, "for I am your husband. I will choose you-one from a town and two from a clan-and bring you to Zion.15Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.16In those days, when your numbers have increased greatly in the land," declares the LORD, "men will no longer say, 'The ark of the covenant of the LORD.' It will never enter their minds or be remembered; it will not be missed, nor will another one be made.17At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.
Matthew
18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear God's call to return to Him and the importance of how we receive His word. Jeremiah, speaking during the Babylonian exile, urges Israel to repent and promises a future where Jerusalem will be the Throne of the Lord, gathering all nations. This vision of restoration highlights God's enduring love and His desire for His people to return to Him.
In the Gospel, Matthew explains the parable of the sower, illustrating how the condition of our hearts affects our reception of God's word. The roadside represents those who do not understand, the rocky ground those who lack depth, the thorny soil those distracted by worldly cares, and the good soil those who bear fruit. This parable emphasizes the need for a receptive and nurturing heart to cultivate spiritual growth.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded to evaluate our own hearts. Are we like the good soil, allowing God's word to take root and flourish? Or do we let the challenges and distractions of life hinder our spiritual growth? Jeremiah's promise of restoration and Jesus' parable call us to remain faithful and rooted in God's love. By doing so, we can bear fruit, living a life that reflects God's presence in the world. Let us strive to cultivate hearts that are open, receptive, and committed to His word.