Today in the first reading, we begin a journey through the book of the prophet Jeremiah. At the opening of the book, we read about the call of Jeremiah. Our Gospel reading is from Matthew 13, a chapter that is filled with the parables of Jesus. Today we read the parable of the sower.
When God calls Jeremiah, he instantly comes up with a couple of excuses as to why he cannot accept the assignment as prophet. “I know not how to speak; I am too young,” exclaims Jeremiah. But God sets him straight right away. “To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak.” Sorry, Jeremiah, you lose this argument.
Jeremiah, like Moses and many of the other prophets, simply didn’t feel qualified to take on task that God had set out for him. Sound familiar? “Sorry, God, I’ve got a job and a family. No time now!” “But Lord, I’m such a sinner. Who would ever listen to me?” Have you ever heard the phrase, “God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.” It’s true! So answer His call, and he’ll make sure you’re qualified.
Father, we thank you for calling us by name. Help us to stop making excuses, and to more readily say yes to you when you call. Amen.
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