Daily Readings - Wed Aug 07 2024
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 expressions of God’s mercy and the boundless reach of His love. The first reading from Jeremiah speaks of a time when God will restore His people, Israel, after a period of exile and hardship. The prophet describes a future where God will draw His people back to Himself with eternal love and rebuild their lives. This passage is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, a time of great suffering and separation from the land. Yet, Jeremiah’s words are not ones of despair but of hope, reminding the people that God’s love endures even in the darkest moments. The image of Israel as a virgin adorned with timbrels and singing with joy underscores the transformative power of God’s mercy.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to a Gentile woman, a Canaanite, who approaches Jesus with a desperate plea for her afflicted daughter. At first, Jesus seems reluctant, stating that His mission is primarily to the lost sheep of Israel. However, the woman’s persistence and faith move Him to act. Her humility and trust in His power lead to a miraculous healing. This encounter takes place in the region of Tyre and Sidon, outside the traditional Jewish territory, symbolizing the expanding scope of Jesus’ mission. The woman’s faith is not deterred by initial rejection; instead, she clings to the hope that even the crumbs of God’s mercy are enough to bring healing.
These readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on trust and perseverance in prayer. Jeremiah’s prophecy reminds us that God’s love is not confined to a particular people or time but is eternal and transformative. The Canaanite woman’s story shows us that faith can bridge even the widest divides, and God’s mercy is available to all who seek Him with an open heart. In our own lives, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when the path seems uncertain. Like the Canaanite woman, we must approach God with persistence and humility, knowing that His love knows no bounds. Let us draw strength from these readings, remembering that God’s mercy is always within reach, and His love endures forever.