Daily Readings - Tue Jul 31 2018
Jeremiah
17"Speak this word to them: "'Let my eyes overflow with tears night and day without ceasing; for my virgin daughter-my people- has suffered a grievous wound, a crushing blow.18If I go into the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I go into the city, I see the ravages of famine. Both prophet and priest have gone to a land they know not.'"19Have you rejected Judah completely? Do you despise Zion? Why have you afflicted us so that we cannot be healed? We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there is only terror.20O LORD, we acknowledge our wickedness and the guilt of our fathers; we have indeed sinned against you.21For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it.22Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.
Matthew
36Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."37He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.38The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,39and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.40"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.42They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on suffering, sin, and the ultimate triumph of God’s justice. The first reading from Jeremiah expresses the prophet’s deep sorrow over the suffering of Judah, which has been devastated by war, famine, and exile. Jeremiah laments the people’s affliction and cries out to God, questioning why He seems to have abandoned them. Yet, even in the midst of despair, there is a glimmer of hope: the prophet acknowledges the sins of the people and pleads for God’s mercy, trusting in His covenant promise.
The Gospel reading from Matthew provides a complementary perspective through Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the weeds. While the first reading focuses on the pain of sin and its consequences, the Gospel offers a vision of patience and ultimate justice. Jesus teaches that the world is a field where good and evil coexist, but at the end of time, God will separate the two. The weeds, representing those who lead others astray, will be cast into the fire, while the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. This parable encourages us to trust in God’s plan, even when evil seems to thrive, and to remain faithful in our own lives.
These readings remind us that suffering and sin are part of our human experience, but they also invite us to hope in God’s justice and mercy. Like Jeremiah, we must acknowledge our sins and turn to God with contrite hearts. Like the disciples, we must trust in the ultimate triumph of good over evil. In our daily lives, let us examine our actions and intentions, striving to be “good seeds” in God’s field. May we cultivate patience, perseverance, and faith, knowing that God’s justice will prevail, and His kingdom will shine forth in all its glory.