Daily Mass Readings – Thursday, 3 August 2028

1 The word that came to Jeremias from the Lord, saying:

2 Arise, and go down into the potter’s house, and there thou shalt hear my words.

3 And I went down into the potter’s house, and behold he was doing a work on the wheel.

4 And the vessel was broken which he was making of clay with his hands: and turning he made another vessel, as it seemed good in his eyes to make it.

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

6 Cannot I do with you, as this potter, O house of Israel, saith the Lord? behold as clay is in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

R. (5a) Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

or

R. Alleluia.

1b Praise the Lord, O my soul, in my life I will praise the Lord:

2 I will sing to my God as long as I shall be. Put not your trust in princes:

R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

or

R. Alleluia.

3 In the children of men, in whom there is no salvation.

4 His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return into his earth: in that day all their thoughts shall perish.

R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

or

R. Alleluia.

5 Blessed is he who hath the God of Jacob for his helper, whose hope is in the Lord his God:

6ab Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them.

R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

or

R. Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

14b Open our heart, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

47 Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kind of fishes.

48 Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth.

49 So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just.

50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51 Have ye understood all these things? They say to him: Yes.

52 He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old.

53 And it came to pass: when Jesus had finished these parables, he passed from thence.

The image of the potter gives us a steady hope: our lives are still in God’s hands, even when what we have become seems broken or unfinished. The potter does not throw away the clay; he reshapes it according to his wisdom. God’s work in us is patient and purposeful, calling for trust rather than self-reliance. The psalm directs that trust away from human power and toward the Lord, the one whose help endures.

Jesus’ parable of the net adds a serious dimension. God’s mercy is not indifference. A time of separation will come, when what is good and faithful is revealed. For now, the word of Christ is meant to open our hearts and form our choices. The disciple instructed in the kingdom becomes like a householder who brings out treasures both new and old: receiving the wisdom handed down in faith while allowing Christ to renew life continually. We can place our failures, habits, and hopes in the Potter’s hands, listen honestly to the Son, and let his word shape what belongs in our lives.

Lord God, you are the Potter, and I am clay in your hands. When I am wounded, mistaken, or resistant to your grace, do not let me turn away from your patient work. Open my heart to listen to your Son and give me courage to obey his word. Keep me from placing my hope in human strength alone. Teach me to treasure the wisdom of faith and to welcome the renewal you desire. As your judgment reveals what is true, make my life faithful and fruitful, ready to be gathered into your kingdom. Amen.