Daily Readings - Sun Aug 17 2025
Jeremiah
4Then the officials said to the king, "This man should be put to death. He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin."5"He is in your hands," King Zedekiah answered. "The king can do nothing to oppose you."6So they took Jeremiah and put him into the cistern of Malkijah, the king's son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.8Ebed-Melech went out of the palace and said to him,9"My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city."10Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Cushite, "Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies."
Hebrews
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Luke
49"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.52From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of faith, perseverance, and the transformative power of God's presence in our lives. The first reading from Jeremiah recounts the prophet's persecution and eventual rescue, highlighting the tension between speaking truth and facing opposition. Jeremiah's unwavering commitment to his divine mission, despite the danger, serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith. The second reading from Hebrews encourages us to persevere through life's challenges by fixing our gaze on Jesus, who endured immense suffering for our sake. This passage reminds us that our struggles are not in vain, as they draw us closer to God and refine our character. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus as the source of both fire and division, challenging us to reevaluate our priorities and allegiances. Jesus’ words remind us that following Him may lead to conflict, but it is through this tension that we are purified and strengthened.
These readings are deeply interconnected, as they all point to the transformative power of faith and the necessity of perseverance in the face of adversity. Jeremiah’s courage in the face of persecution, the encouragement to endure in Hebrews, and Jesus’ call to radical commitment all invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God. They challenge us to examine whether we are willing to stand firm in our faith, even when it leads to difficulty or division. In a world that often values comfort and conformity, these readings call us to embrace the transformative power of God’s grace, even when it disrupts our lives.
In our daily lives, we are often faced with choices that test our commitment to our faith. These readings remind us that living as disciples of Christ is not always easy, but it is through these challenges that we grow closer to God. We are called to be like Jeremiah, speaking truth even when it is unpopular, and like the early Christians, enduring hardship with patience and hope. Jesus’ words about division remind us that our ultimate allegiance must be to Him, even if it means facing tension or conflict. As we navigate the complexities of our lives, let us draw strength from these readings, trusting in God’s providence and grace to sustain us through every trial.