Daily Readings - Fri Jul 31 2020
Jeremiah
1Early in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the LORD:2"This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the LORD's house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the LORD. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word.3Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his evil way. Then I will relent and not bring on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done.4Say to them, 'This is what the LORD says: If you do not listen to me and follow my law, which I have set before you,5and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened),6then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth.'"7The priests, the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the LORD.8But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the LORD had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, "You must die!9Why do you prophesy in the LORD's name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?" And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
Matthew
54Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked.55"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?56Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"57And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."58And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the challenges of faith, prophecy, and the human resistance to God’s message. In the first reading from Jeremiah, the prophet stands courageously in the temple courtyard, delivering a message of repentance to the people of Judah. Jeremiah warns them that if they do not turn away from their sinful ways, the temple—once a symbol of God’s presence—will suffer the same fate as Shiloh, which was destroyed for its corruption. The people, however, reject Jeremiah’s words and even threaten his life, revealing their stubborn refusal to listen to God’s call. This passage reminds us that prophets often face opposition when they challenge the status quo and call for conversion.
In the Gospel, we see a similar dynamic as Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth. Despite his wisdom and miracles, the people are scandalized by his humble origins. They cannot reconcile the familiarity of his family with the extraordinary gifts they see in him. Their unbelief leads to their offense, and as a result, Jesus is unable to perform many miracles there. This passage underscores the truth that even the Messiah faces rejection, especially in the place where he is best known. It also highlights the importance of humility and openness to God’s surprises, as those who think they already know Jesus may miss the depth of his message.
Both readings remind us that faith requires us to let go of our preconceptions and biases. Jeremiah’s courage in the face of rejection and Jesus’ humble acceptance of his people’s unbelief challenge us to examine our own response to God’s word. How often do we, like the people of Nazareth, allow familiarity or pride to blind us to the truth? How often do we, like the people of Judah, resist the call to repentance? Today’s readings invite us to cultivate humility and openness, trusting that God’s word, even when it comes through unexpected or challenging messengers, is always for our salvation. Let us pray for the grace to listen with open hearts and to follow where God leads, even when it is difficult.