Daily Readings - Wed Jul 27 2022
Jeremiah
10Alas, my mother, that you gave me birth, a man with whom the whole land strives and contends! I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me.16When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.17I never sat in the company of revelers, never made merry with them; I sat alone because your hand was on me and you had filled me with indignation.18Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? Will you be to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails?19Therefore this is what the LORD says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.20I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you," declares the LORD.21"I will save you from the hands of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the cruel."
Matthew
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the cost and joy of following God’s will. In the first reading, Jeremiah laments the burden of his prophetic mission, feeling isolated and misunderstood. Yet, despite his suffering, he acknowledges that God’s word has brought him joy and that he has been called to stand as a strong, unwavering witness. This passage reminds us that living according to God’s plan often requires sacrifice and perseverance, but it also offers a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses two parables to describe the kingdom of heaven: the treasure hidden in a field and the pearl of great value. Both parables emphasize the extraordinary worth of spiritual treasure and the radical commitment required to attain it. The man who finds the treasure sells everything to buy the field, and the merchant sells all his possessions for the pearl. These stories teach us that the kingdom of heaven is not something we can attain halfway; it demands our wholehearted dedication and joy. Just as Jeremiah embraced his mission despite its challenges, we too are called to prioritize God’s will above all else.
These readings challenge us to examine our own commitment to living as disciples of Christ. Are we willing to let go of worldly attachments and trust in God’s plan, even when it leads us through difficult terrain? The moral lesson here is clear: true joy and fulfillment come from seeking God above all else. Like the treasure and the pearl, the kingdom of heaven is worth sacrificing everything for. Let us pray for the courage to follow God’s will with open hearts, trusting that He will guide us through every trial and bring us to eternal life.