Daily Readings - Wed Aug 03 2022
Jeremiah
1"At that time," declares the LORD, "I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they will be my people."2This is what the LORD says: "The people who survive the sword will find favor in the desert; I will come to give rest to Israel."3The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.4I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.5Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit.6There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, 'Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.'"7This is what the LORD says: "Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, 'O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.'
Matthew
21Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.22A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."23Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."24He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."25The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.26He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."27"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."28Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of hope, restoration, and the boundless mercy of God. The first reading from Jeremiah speaks to a people in exile, offering them a vision of renewal and return. God’s promise to rebuild and restore Israel is a testament to His eternal love and faithfulness. The prophet’s words are not just a historical message but a timeless assurance that God’s mercy endures even in the darkest of times. The image of Israel as a virgin adorned with timbrels and planting vineyards symbolizes the joy and fruitfulness that come from trusting in God’s plan.
In the Gospel, we meet a Canaanite woman whose persistence and faith challenge Jesus to extend His mission beyond the boundaries of Israel. Her plea for her daughter’s healing reveals the universality of God’s mercy, as Jesus ultimately praises her faith and grants her request. This encounter reminds us that God’s love is not confined to a chosen few but is available to all who call upon Him with sincerity and perseverance. The woman’s humility and determination teach us to approach God with trust, even when the answers to our prayers are not immediately clear.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Like the exiled Israelites, we may face moments of uncertainty and despair, but Jeremiah’s prophecy encourages us to hold fast to God’s promises. Like the Canaanite woman, we are called to pray with persistence and faith, trusting that God’s mercy can reach even the most marginalized. Let us open our hearts to the boundless love of God, who desires to heal and restore us all. May we, like the woman, cry out with faith, knowing that God’s grace is always within reach.