Daily Readings - Sat Jul 28 2018
Jeremiah
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:2"Stand at the gate of the LORD's house and there proclaim this message: "'Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the LORD.3This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place.4Do not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!"5If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly,6if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm,7then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever.8But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.9"'Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known,10and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe"-safe to do all these detestable things?11Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD.
Matthew
24Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.26When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.27"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'28"'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'29"'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that invite us to reflect on our faith and actions. The first reading from Jeremiah confronts us with a call to repentance, as God urges the Israelites to turn away from injustice and corruption. Jeremiah stands at the Temple gates, a symbol of God's presence, yet the people have become complacent, believing the Temple's existence alone saves them. God warns them that true faith must be accompanied by just living, caring for the vulnerable, and avoiding false idols. The second reading, from Matthew, presents a parable about a field where both good and bad seeds grow. The master allows them to coexist until harvest, trusting in the eventual separation of wheat and weeds. This parable reminds us that God's timing and judgment are beyond our understanding.
Both readings highlight the theme of judgment and the necessity of living righteously. Jeremiah emphasizes that outward religious practices without inner righteousness are hollow, while Matthew's parable illustrates that good and evil coexist, with God's plan unfolding in His time. This teaches us patience and trust in divine providence, knowing that ultimate justice will prevail.
Applying these lessons to our lives, we are called to examine our actions and ensure they align with our faith. It is not enough to merely attend church; we must live with integrity, compassion, and justice. Let us strive to be the wheat, nurturing our faith and trusting in God's plan. As we navigate life's challenges, may we remain faithful, knowing that God will bring all things to fruition in His time.