Daily Readings - Sun Aug 18 2019
Jeremiah
4Then the officials said to the king, "This man should be put to death. He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin."5"He is in your hands," King Zedekiah answered. "The king can do nothing to oppose you."6So they took Jeremiah and put him into the cistern of Malkijah, the king's son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.8Ebed-Melech went out of the palace and said to him,9"My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city."10Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Cushite, "Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies."
Hebrews
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Luke
49"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.52From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that challenge us to reflect on our faith and its implications in our lives. The first reading from Jeremiah portrays the prophet facing severe persecution for speaking unwelcome truths, yet his rescue by Ebedmelech highlights the courage and compassion that can emerge in dire situations. This story underscores the cost of standing up for one's beliefs and the importance of intervening on behalf of others in need.
The second reading from Hebrews encourages us to persevere through life's struggles by looking to the "cloud of witnesses" who have gone before us. It reminds us that our journey of faith is not solitary but supported by a community that has endured similar trials. Jesus, as the ultimate example, shows us that true commitment to our faith can lead to transformative power, even in the face of adversity.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus' message about the divisive nature of his mission. This passage challenges us to consider the depth of our commitment to our faith, recognizing that it may lead to difficult choices and conflicts, even within our closest relationships. Yet, it is through these challenges that our faith is refined and strengthened.
These readings interrelate by emphasizing the transformative power of faith and the courage required to stand by our beliefs. Jeremiah's ordeal, the encouragement from Hebrews, and Jesus' message all point to the enduring strength found in perseverance and trust in God. In our daily lives, we may face situations where our faith leads to conflict or hardship. The sermon invites us to embrace these challenges with courage, trusting in God's providence and the support of our faith community.
The moral lesson here is one of steadfastness and hope. Just as Jeremiah found rescue through Ebedmelech and Jesus endured the cross for our sake, we too can find the strength to overcome any struggle. Our faith calls us to stand firm, trusting that God will provide the grace needed to navigate life's trials. Let us draw inspiration from these examples, living our faith with courage and resilience, knowing that we are part of a larger community that upholds and supports us.