Daily Readings - Thu Jul 28 2022
Jeremiah
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:2"Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message."3So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel.4But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.5Then the word of the LORD came to me:6"O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
Matthew
47"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.48When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.49This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous50and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.51"Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. "Yes," they replied.52He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful metaphors that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our spiritual journey. The first reading from Jeremiah presents the image of a potter shaping clay, symbolizing God's sovereign and loving hand in our lives. Just as the potter molds and reshapes the clay, God works in our lives, guiding us through trials and challenges to form us into the people He desires us to be. This passage reminds us of God's patience and mercy, as He continually offers us opportunities to grow closer to Him.
The Gospel reading from Matthew offers another metaphor, this time comparing the kingdom of heaven to a net that gathers all kinds of fish. This parable emphasizes the ultimate separation between good and evil at the end of time. It calls us to examine our lives and discern between what is good and what is not, aligning our choices with God's will. Together, these readings remind us that we are called to be open to God's shaping and to strive for holiness, knowing that our decisions have eternal consequences.
As we reflect on these readings, let us surrender to God's plan, trusting in His wisdom and love. May we allow Him to shape us like clay in His hands, and may we live with integrity, preparing our hearts for the day when we will stand before Him. Let us choose to be among the righteous, living lives that reflect God's love and truth.