Daily Readings - Mon Aug 03 2020
Jeremiah
1In the fifth month of that same year, the fourth year, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, who was from Gibeon, said to me in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and all the people:2"This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.3Within two years I will bring back to this place all the articles of the LORD's house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon removed from here and took to Babylon.4I will also bring back to this place Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and all the other exiles from Judah who went to Babylon,' declares the LORD, 'for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.'"5Then the prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah before the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the LORD.6He said, "Amen! May the LORD do so! May the LORD fulfill the words you have prophesied by bringing the articles of the LORD's house and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon.7Nevertheless, listen to what I have to say in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people:8From early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms.9But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true."10Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it,11and he said before all the people, "This is what the LORD says: 'In the same way will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon off the neck of all the nations within two years.'" At this, the prophet Jeremiah went on his way.12Shortly after the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:13"Go and tell Hananiah, 'This is what the LORD says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but in its place you will get a yoke of iron.14This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will put an iron yoke on the necks of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I will even give him control over the wild animals.'"15Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, "Listen, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies.16Therefore, this is what the LORD says: 'I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.'"17In the seventh month of that same year, Hananiah the prophet died.
Matthew
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,24but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."29"Come," he said.30Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him36and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on the essence of faith and trust in God. The story from Jeremiah and the Gospel of Matthew both present scenarios where individuals are challenged to discern God's true message amidst turmoil.
The first reading from Jeremiah is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, a period of great turmoil for the people of Judah. Jeremiah, a true prophet, faces opposition from Hananiah, who delivers a false prophecy of swift deliverance. This context highlights the struggle between true and false hope, emphasizing the importance of standing firm in God's truth, even when it is met with resistance.
In the Gospel, Matthew recounts the story of Jesus walking on water, a moment of divine revelation for the disciples. Peter's attempt to walk on water, followed by his doubt and rescue by Jesus, illustrates the human experience of faith—eager yet sometimes faltering. This narrative underscores the need to trust in God's presence and power, especially during life's storms.
Both readings remind us of the importance of discernment and faith. In our daily lives, we often face challenges that require us to distinguish between true and false guidance. Like Jeremiah, we must remain steadfast in God's truth, even when it is unpopular. Like Peter, we may experience moments of doubt, but Jesus' promise to save us is ever-present.
The moral lesson here is clear: Faith is not about the absence of doubt but about trusting in God's plan and seeking His guidance. In times of uncertainty, we are called to discern true prophecy from false hope and to place our trust in God, who is always with us, even in the midst of life's tempests. Let us embrace this faith, knowing that God's grace is available to us whenever we call upon Him.